Shloka 39
Bhīmasena–Drauṇi Mahāyuddha
Chariot Duel and Astra-Exchange
न द्रोणव्यसनं ककश्िज्जानीते तत्र भारत । दृष्टवा कर्ण महेष्वासं मुखे व्यूहस्य देशितम्
na droṇavyasanaṁ kaścid jānīte tatra bhārata | dṛṣṭvā karṇa-maheṣvāsaṁ mukhe vyūhasya deśitam ||
اے بھارت، وہاں کسی نے بھی دروṇ پر آنے والی آفت کی حقیقت کو نہ جانا؛ کیونکہ انہوں نے مہا دھنوردھر کرن کو لشکر کی صف بندی کے دہانے پر مقرر دیکھا۔
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how outward displays of strength and decisive leadership can shape collective perception in crisis: by placing a formidable warrior at the front, an army’s morale may be preserved even when it has suffered a grave internal loss.
After the catastrophe involving Droṇa, Sañjaya reports that the warriors did not fully register the extent of that disaster because Karṇa, a renowned archer, was visibly stationed at the forefront of the battle formation, giving the host a sense of continued power and direction.