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Shloka 21

Chapter 19: Prativyūha of the Pāṇḍavas — Vajra (Acala) Formation and Dawn Omens

चक्ररक्षौ तु भीमस्य माद्रीपुत्रौ महाद्युतौ | द्रौपदेया: ससौभद्रा: पृष्ठगोपास्तरस्विन:

sañjaya uvāca |

chakra-rakṣau tu bhīmasya mādrī-putrau mahā-dyutau |

draupadeyāḥ sa-saubhadraḥ pṛṣṭha-gopās tarasvinaḥ ||

قال سنجيا: كان ابنا مادري المتلألئان—ناكولا وسهاديفا—يحرسـان عجلات مركبة بهيما، لئلا يُعاق تقدّمه أو يُنال من شرفه. ومن ورائه كان أبناء دروبدي الخمسة، ومعهم ساوبهدرا (أبهيمانيو) السريع الهجوم، يحمون مؤخرته—تشكيلٌ منظم يُظهر الانضباط والواجب والحماية المتبادلة وسط فوضى الحرب.

चक्ररक्षौthe two (as) protectors of the wheels
चक्ररक्षौ:
Karta
TypeNoun
Rootचक्ररक्षा
FormFeminine, Nominative, Dual
तुindeed/but
तु:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootतु
भीमस्यof Bhima
भीमस्य:
TypeNoun
Rootभीम
FormMasculine, Genitive, Singular
माद्रीपुत्रौthe two sons of Madri (Nakula and Sahadeva)
माद्रीपुत्रौ:
Karta
TypeNoun
Rootमाद्रीपुत्र
FormMasculine, Nominative, Dual
महाद्युतौof great splendor
महाद्युतौ:
TypeAdjective
Rootमहाद्युति
FormMasculine, Nominative, Dual
द्रौपदेयाःthe sons of Draupadi
द्रौपदेयाः:
Karta
TypeNoun
Rootद्रौपदेय
FormMasculine, Nominative, Plural
ससौभद्राःtogether with Saubhadra (Abhimanyu)
ससौभद्राः:
TypeAdjective
Rootससौभद्र
FormMasculine, Nominative, Plural
पृष्ठगोपाःguards of the rear/back
पृष्ठगोपाः:
Karta
TypeNoun
Rootपृष्ठगोप
FormMasculine, Nominative, Plural
तरस्विनःswift/impetuous
तरस्विनः:
TypeAdjective
Rootतरस्विन्
FormMasculine, Nominative, Plural

संजय उवाच

S
Sañjaya
B
Bhīma
M
Mādrī
N
Nakula
S
Sahadeva
D
Draupadī
D
Draupadeyas (sons of Draupadī)
S
Saubhadra (Abhimanyu)
C
Chariot wheels (chakra)

Educational Q&A

Even in warfare, dharma is expressed through disciplined responsibility: protecting comrades, maintaining order, and acting as a coordinated unit rather than pursuing isolated glory.

Sañjaya describes Bhīma’s protective formation: Nakula and Sahadeva guard the chariot wheels (preventing immobilization or tactical vulnerability), while Draupadī’s sons and Abhimanyu secure the rear as a swift rear-guard.