Shloka 24
वासवी-शक्तेः प्रयोगः, घटोत्कच-वधोत्तर-शोकः, व्यासोपदेशश्च
The Vāsavī Spear’s Use, Post-Ghaṭotkaca Grief, and Vyāsa’s Counsel
साग्रं शतसहस्र॑ तु हयानां तस्य धीमत: । सोमदत्तं महेष्वासं समन्तात् पर्यरक्षत,बुद्धिमान शकुनिके एक लाखसे अधिक घुड़सवार महाधनुर्धर सोमदत्तकी सब ओरसे रक्षा करने लगे
sāgraṁ śata-sahasraṁ tu hayānāṁ tasya dhīmataḥ | somadattaṁ maheṣvāsaṁ samantāt paryarakṣata | buddhimān śakunike eka-lākha-se adhika ghuṛasavāra mahā-dhanurdhara somadatta-kī saba orase rakṣā karane lage |
قال سنجيا: إنّ أكثر من مئة ألف فارس، يعملون بتدبير ذلك القائد الحكيم، أقاموا من كل جانبٍ طوقًا واقيًا حول سوماداتّا، الرامي العظيم. وفي المناخ الأخلاقي للحرب، تُبرز هذه العبارة كيف تُسخَّر الحيلةُ والولاء—مهما كان اتجاههما—لصون مقاتلٍ محوريّ وسط فوضى القتال.
सयजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in a destructive conflict, the epic highlights the power of organized duty and loyalty: warriors coordinate to protect a valued fighter, showing how intelligence and collective discipline shape outcomes—though such virtues can serve either righteous or unrighteous causes depending on alignment with dharma.
Sañjaya reports that a cavalry force numbering over one hundred thousand forms a surrounding guard to shield Somadatta, the renowned archer, indicating a deliberate tactical effort to preserve him amid the fighting.