Shloka 24
Droṇasya raudra-prayogaḥ
Droṇa’s intensified assault and the Pāṇḍava response
राधेयं पूजयन्तश्न प्रशंसन्तश्न निर्ययु: । अस्माकं शकटबव्यूहो द्रोणेन विहितो&$भवत्,प्रजानाथ! इस प्रकार प्रसन्न होकर परस्पर बात करते तथा राधानन्दन कर्णकी प्रशंसा और आदर करते हुए आपके सैनिक युद्धके लिये चले। उस समय द्रोणाचार्यने हमारी सेनाके द्वारा शकटव्यूहका निर्माण किया था
rādheyaṁ pūjayantaś ca praśaṁsantaś ca niryayuḥ | asmākaṁ śakaṭa-vyūho droṇena vihito 'bhavat, prajānātha |
राधेयं पूजयन्तश्च प्रशंसन्तश्च निर्ययुः । अस्माकं शकटव्यूहो द्रोणेन विहितोऽभवत् प्रजानाथ ॥
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores two forces that drive outcomes in conflict: inner cohesion (morale built through honouring and praising a leading warrior) and outer structure (disciplined strategy embodied in Droṇa’s planned formation). Ethically, it hints that speech—praise, recognition, encouragement—can mobilize people toward grave action, so leaders must weigh how words and esteem are used in the service of war.
Sañjaya reports to the king that the Kaurava troops, pleased and conversing among themselves, set out to fight while praising and honouring Karṇa. Simultaneously, Droṇa organizes their forces into the Śakaṭa (cart-shaped) vyūha, indicating a deliberate tactical deployment for the day’s battle.