Shloka 23

Adhyāya 107 — बहुयुद्धप्रकरणम्

Multiple Defensive Engagements to Protect Bhīṣma

Devanagari script

द्रोणश्व द्रुपदं भित्त्वा शरै: संनतपर्वभि:

Transliteration

droṇaś ca drupadaṁ bhittvā śaraiḥ saṁnataparvabhiḥ

Translation

Sañjaya nói: Drona, dùng những mũi tên có khớp nối chắc và ngay ngắn, xuyên thấu Drupada rồi quật ngã ông giữa vòng chiến—một hình ảnh của võ công lẫy lừng, đồng thời phơi bày sự căng thẳng đạo lý khắc nghiệt của chiến tranh, nơi thù riêng và bổn phận va chạm trên chiến địa.

Word by Word

• द्रोणः: Drona
• द्रोणः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्रोण
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• द्रुपदम्: Drupada
• द्रुपदम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्रुपद
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• भित्त्वा: having pierced / having split
• Type: Verb
• Root: भिद्
• Form: क्त्वा (absolutive/gerund), Parasmaipada (usage), Non-finite

• शरैः: with arrows
• शरैः: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: शर
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Plural

• संनतपर्वभिः: with (arrows) having bent joints/knots
• संनतपर्वभिः: Karana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: संनतपर्वन्
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Plural

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Droṇa
• Drupada
• Śara (arrows)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights the harsh reality of kṣatriya duty in war: skill and resolve can be admirable, yet the act itself remains ethically fraught, especially when driven by longstanding rivalry. It invites reflection on how dharma in battle can conflict with compassion and personal bonds.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya reports that Droṇa attacks Drupada and pierces him with well-made arrows, depicting a decisive martial strike amid the Kurukṣetra conflict.