अध्याय ३१ — द्रोणानीके तुमुलसंग्रामः
The Tumultuous Battle around Droṇa’s Formation
ततः प्रविव्यथे सेना पाण्डवी भूशमाकुला । आचार्यपुत्रेण हते नीले ज्वलिततेजसि,आचार्यपुत्रके द्वारा प्रजजलित तेजवाले राजा नीलके मारे जानेपर पाण्डव-सेना अत्यन्त व्याकुल और व्यथित हो उठी
tataḥ pravivyathe senā pāṇḍavī bhūśamākulā | ācāryaputreṇa hate nīle jvalitatejasi ||
सञ्जय उवाच—ततः प्रविव्यथे सेना पाण्डवी भूशमाकुला । आचार्यपुत्रेण हते नीले ज्वलिततेजसि ॥
संजय उवाच
The verse highlights how the death of a single radiant leader can destabilize an entire force, showing the moral and psychological dimensions of warfare: victory is not only physical but also depends on courage, cohesion, and the ethical burden of killing.
Sañjaya reports that the Pāṇḍava army becomes deeply shaken and confused after King Nīla, famed for blazing valor, is slain by Droṇa’s son Aśvatthāmā.