Shloka 46
वासवी-शक्तेः प्रयोगः, घटोत्कच-वधोत्तर-शोकः, व्यासोपदेशश्च
The Vāsavī Spear’s Use, Post-Ghaṭotkaca Grief, and Vyāsa’s Counsel
सम्प्रभग्नं बल॑ दृष्टवा द्रोणेन निशि भारत
samprabhagnaṃ balaṃ dṛṣṭvā droṇena niśi bhārata
सञ्जय उवाच—हे भारत! द्रोणेन निशि सम्प्रभग्नं बलं दृष्ट्वा तत्र योधाः संमूढा व्याकुलाश्चाभवन्।
सयजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the immediate moral and practical consequence of unchecked martial power: when a commander’s prowess breaks an army—especially under cover of night—order, restraint, and discernment are strained. It implicitly raises the ethical tension between victory-seeking tactics and the dharmic ideal of fair, regulated combat.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Droṇa has shattered a force during the night. The line sets the scene for panic and disruption in the battlefield narrative, emphasizing Droṇa’s effectiveness and the crisis faced by the opposing side.