Shloka 44
Droṇasya raudra-prayogaḥ
Droṇa’s intensified assault and the Pāṇḍava response
वेगेनाभ्यद्रवत् सेनां किरज्छरशतै: शितै: । महाधनुर्धर महातेजस्वी द्रोणाचार्यने पाण्डवोंकी विशाल सेनापर सैकड़ों पैने बाणोंकी वर्षा करते हुए बड़े वेगसे आक्रमण किया ।। ४३ $ ।। द्रोणमभ्युद्यतं दृष्टवा पाण्डवा: सह सृञ्जयै:
sañjaya uvāca |
vegenābhyadravat senāṃ kirac charaśataiḥ śitaiḥ |
mahādhanuḥdharo mahātejasvī droṇācāryaḥ pāṇḍavānāṃ viśālāṃ senām prati śaravarṣaṃ kṛtvā vegenaivābhyapatat |
droṇam abhyudyataṃ dṛṣṭvā pāṇḍavāḥ saha sṛñjayaiḥ |
सञ्जय उवाच—वेगेनाभ्यद्रवत् सेनां किरञ्छरशतैः शितैः । महाधनुर्धरो द्रोणो महातेजा महाबलः ॥ द्रोणमभ्युद्यतं दृष्ट्वा पाण्डवाः सह सृञ्जयैः ॥
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical strain of dharma in war: extraordinary martial power, when aligned with one’s chosen allegiance and duty, can become terrifying even when wielded by a revered teacher. It invites reflection on how obligation, loyalty, and righteousness can diverge in a civil conflict.
Sanjaya describes Drona charging the Pandava forces at high speed, releasing hundreds of sharp arrows like a rainstorm. The Pandavas, joined by the Sṛñjayas, see him advancing and ready themselves to respond to his assault.