Shloka 40
वासवी-शक्तेः प्रयोगः, घटोत्कच-वधोत्तर-शोकः, व्यासोपदेशश्च
The Vāsavī Spear’s Use, Post-Ghaṭotkaca Grief, and Vyāsa’s Counsel
द्रोणाचार्यके द्वारा पाण्डव-सेनाका संहार होता देख कुन्तीकुमार अर्जुनके हृदयमें कुछ क्रोध हो आया। वे तुरंत ही आचार्यका सामना करनेके लिये चल दिये ।। दृष्टवा द्रोणं तु बीभत्सुमभिधावन्तमाहवे । संन्यवर्तत तत् सैन्यं पुनर्योधिष्ठिरे बलम्,अर्जुनको युद्धमें द्रोणाचार्यपर धावा करते देख युधिष्ठिरकी सेना पुनः: वापस लौट आयी
sañjaya uvāca | dṛṣṭvā droṇaṃ tu bībhatsum abhidhāvantam āhave | saṃnyavartata tat sainyaṃ punar yodhiṣṭhire balam ||
सञ्जय उवाच— बीभत्सुं द्रोणमभिधावन्तं दृष्ट्वा समाहवे; संन्यवर्तत तत् सैन्यं पुनर्युधिष्ठिरे बलम्।
सयजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how decisive leadership and moral resolve can restore a collapsing force: when Arjuna moves to confront an overwhelming threat (Droṇa), the army regains courage and reorganizes. It also reflects the dharmic tension of fighting one’s revered teacher when duty to protect one’s side becomes paramount.
Droṇa is inflicting heavy losses on the Pāṇḍava side. Arjuna charges toward Droṇa to face him directly. Seeing Arjuna’s advance, the Pāṇḍava host that had been falling back turns around, returns to the fight, and stands ready again.