Shloka 24
Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Bereavement and the Averted Assault on Bhīma (Āyasī Pratimā Episode)
समासाद्याथ वै द्रौणिं पाण्डुपुत्रा महारथा: । व्यजयंस्ते रणे राजन् विक्रम्प तदनन्तरम्,राजन्! तदनन्तर महारथी पाण्डवोंने द्रोणपुत्र अश्वत्थामाके पास पहुँचकर उसे बलपूर्वक युद्धमें पराजित किया
samāsādyātha vai drauṇiṃ pāṇḍuputrā mahārathāḥ | vyajayaṃs te raṇe rājan vikramya tadanantaram ||
Vaiśampāyana nói: Rồi các đại xa chiến binh, những con trai của Pāṇḍu, tiến đến con trai của Droṇa (Aśvatthāman). Tâu Đại vương, họ đã khuất phục hắn trong chiến trận; phô bày dũng lực xong, họ lại thúc quân tiến xa hơn nữa.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights kṣatriya-duty and the momentum of warfare: even after grievous losses, warriors continue to act according to their role—seeking out key opponents, testing strength, and advancing. It implicitly invites reflection on how dharma as ‘role-duty’ can propel action in morally heavy circumstances.
Vaiśampāyana narrates that the Pāṇḍavas, described as great chariot-warriors, approach Droṇa’s son Aśvatthāman and defeat him in combat; having displayed their valor, they proceed onward to the next phase of action.