Who were those heroes that attained the highest state of existence, in the battle with Drona? Did those vile Kshatriyas entrusted with the protection of Drona, out of apprehension, abandon him in (the thick of) the fight? Was he slain by the foe while there helpless? Out of fear Drona would never turn his back on the field of battle, though the danger might be very great. How could he have been slain by the enemy? O Sanjaya, although in a very critical situation, an illustrious person should do this, namely, display his prowess to the best of his might; all this was in Drona. O son, my mind is loosing consciousness; refrain for a while from this discourse. O Sanjaya, regaining my consciousness, I shall again question you.
द्रोणस्य समरे वीराः केऽकुर्वन्त परां धृतिम्। कञ्चिन्नैनं भयान्मन्दाः क्षत्रिया व्यजहन् रणे॥ रक्षितारस्ततः शूनये कच्चित् तैर्न हतः परैः। न स पृष्ठमरेस्त्रासाद् रणे शौर्यात् प्रदर्शयेत्॥ परामप्यापदं प्राप्य स कथं निहतः परैः। एतदार्येण कर्तव्यं कृच्छ्रास्वापत्सु संजय॥ पराक्रमेद यथाशक्त्या तच्च तस्मिन् प्रतिष्ठितम्। मुह्यते मे मनस्तात कथा तावन्निवार्यताम्। भूयस्तु लब्धसंज्ञस्त्वां परिपृच्छामि संजय॥