Section CIII - Battle between Arjuna and Drona: Epic showdown in Dhritarashtra's kingdom
Book index: Mahabharata (English)
This page contains a summary of the Mahabharata Section CIII including examples of moral lessons in daily life. The Maha-Bharata is one of the largest epics ever written containing roughly 100,000 Sanskrit verses. It deals with the legendary history of ancient India and contains a large number of interwoven tales.
Short summary of the chapter:
In the battle between Drona and Arjuna, both warriors fiercely attacked each other despite their mutual respect. Arjuna pierced Drona with arrows, but Drona retaliated with a shower of arrows, leading to a fierce exchange of attacks. The ruler of the Trigartas, Susarman, joined Drona in attacking Arjuna, but Arjuna skillfully defended himself and managed to repel their attacks. Arjuna then unleashed the Vayavya weapon against the Trigartas, causing chaos and defeating their division in battle.
Meanwhile, Bhima faced an elephant division led by Bhagadatta in the battle. Bhima, wielding his mace, jumped down from his chariot and single-handedly slaughtered the elephants, striking terror into the hearts of his enemies. The elephants, unable to withstand Bhima's strength, cried out in agony as he crushed them with his mace and overpowered them with sheer force. Despite sustaining scratches from the elephants' tusks, Bhima stood tall and fierce, resembling a powerful deity on the battlefield.
As the battle raged on, Duryodhana, Kripa, Asvatthaman, Salya, and other warriors surrounded Arjuna and Yudhishthira, while Bhishma and the sons of Dhritarashtra surrounded Yudhishthira. The brothers fought valiantly against their opponents, with Arjuna using his skill and weapons to combat the encircling enemies. Bhima, on the other hand, faced the elephant division alone, showcasing his incredible strength and fearlessness in battle. Despite being surrounded, the Pandava brothers continued to fight with determination and courage, gaining the upper hand in the fierce conflict.
The battle intensified as the warriors on both sides engaged in fierce combat, with each side unleashing their full strength and prowess. Arjuna's skill with the bow and arrow, Bhima's strength with the mace, and the strategic leadership of Yudhishthira gave the Pandavas an advantage in the battle. Despite facing powerful enemies and overwhelming odds, the Pandavas fought with unwavering resolve and determination, determined to emerge victorious in the epic battle. As the war continued to unfold, the warriors on both sides displayed their courage, skill, and valor, shaping the course of the great conflict between the Kauravas and the Pandavas.
Full English translation:
This page is merely a summary which is automatically generated. If you are looking for authentic sources such as the Sanskrit text or the Full English translation of Mahabharata Section CIII - Battle between Arjuna and Drona: Epic showdown in Dhritarashtra's kingdom, have a look at the following articles:
Section CIII, online text
English translation by Kisari Mohan Ganguli.
Read this and other chapters online.
Mahabharata (English Summary)
by Kisari Mohan Ganguli | ISBN-10: 8121505933
Buy the latest edition:
FAQ of Mahabharata, Section CIII:
What strategy did Arjuna use against Drona in battle?
Arjuna cleverly used the Vayavya weapon to defeat the Trigarta division. He also overwhelmed Duryodhana's troops, causing them to flee the field.
How did Bhima defeat the elephant division in battle?
Bhima fearlessly jumped down from his car, wielding his mace to slaughter the elephants. He seized tusks and used them as weapons, ultimately causing the remaining elephants to flee in fear.
Which warriors supported Drona and Bhima in battle?
Drona was supported by Kripa, Asvatthaman, and others, while Bhima faced Bhurisravas, Sala, and Suvala's son. They engaged in fierce combat, with Bhima emerging victorious over the elephant division.
Daily life: Battle between Arjuna and Drona: Epic showdown in Dhritarashtra's kingdom:
The passage from the Mahabharata illustrates the epic battle between warriors, where personal relationships are set aside for duty, and adversaries face challenges with courage and determination. In daily life, this can teach us the importance of commitment to our responsibilities, even when faced with difficult decisions or when our duties conflict with personal relationships. Like Arjuna and Drona, who despite their affection, engaged in battle because of their respective roles, we too might find ourselves in situations where we must prioritize our professional or moral duties over personal biases or attachments.
The narrative also highlights resilience and the power of facing challenges head-on, as seen in Bhima’s unwavering bravery against the elephant division. This can be mirrored in our approach to seemingly insurmountable obstacles in life. By channeling our inner strength and determination, we can confront challenges directly, using our skills and resources to navigate through tough situations.
In essence, the story is a metaphor for the battles we face in our own lives, where duty, resilience, and courage enable us to overcome adversities. It encourages us to stand firm in our convictions, to face our fears and challenges head-on, and to fulfill our responsibilities with integrity, regardless of the personal conflicts or difficulties that may arise along the way.