Mahabharata 7.17.2 — Drona Parva, Adhyaya 17, Shloka 2
Saṃśaptakas in Candrārdha-vyūha; Arjuna’s Devadatta and the Traigarta Rout
Chapter 17
कृत्वावहारं सैन्यानां द्रोण: परमदुर्मना: । दुर्योधनमभिप्रेक्ष्य सब्रीडमिदमब्रवीत्,सेनाओंको युद्धसे लौटाकर द्रोणाचार्य मन-ही-मन अत्यन्त दुःखी हो दुर्योधनकी ओर देखते हुए लज्जित होकर बोले--
kṛtvāvahāraṃ sainyānāṃ droṇaḥ paramadurmanāḥ | duryodhanam abhiprekṣya sabrīḍam idam abravīt ||
कृत्वावहारं सैन्यानां द्रोणः परमदुर्मनाः। दुर्योधनमभिप्रेक्ष्य सब्रीडमिदमब्रवीत्॥
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in war, leadership is not value-neutral: a commander may feel moral unease and shame when outcomes, methods, or obligations conflict with conscience. The verse highlights inner accountability—success demanded by power can clash with one’s sense of right conduct.
Sañjaya reports that Droṇa recalls the troops from battle and, feeling deeply dejected, turns to Duryodhana. With embarrassment or compunction, Droṇa begins to address him—setting up a consequential exchange about the course of the war and expectations placed upon the commander.
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