Shloka 36
Droṇa-parva Adhyāya 25 — Bhīma’s Disruption of Elephant Formations and Bhagadatta’s Shock Advance
विकर्णस्तु महाप्राज्ञो याज्ञसेनिं शिखण्डिनम् । पर्यवारयदायान्तं युवानं समरे युवा
vikarṇas tu mahāprājño yājñaseniṁ śikhaṇḍinam | paryavārayad āyāntaṁ yuvānaṁ samare yuvā ||
قال سنجيا: إنَّ فيكرنة شديدَ الفطنة، وهو نفسه فتىً محارب، تقدّم ليكفَّ اندفاعَ شيخندين—ابنِ ياجناسينا—إذ كان مقبلاً في ساحة القتال. وفي ضغط الحرب التقى الشبابُ بالشباب، وكلٌّ يسعى إلى إقامة واجب فريقه (الدارما) بالشجاعة والممانعة.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights kṣatriya-dharma in its battlefield form: to meet an advancing opponent with courage and restraint, protecting one’s formation and allies. It also suggests that true prowess is not mere aggression but disciplined resistance—checking harm and maintaining order amid chaos.
As the battle intensifies, Śikhaṇḍin (Drupada’s child, allied with the Pāṇḍavas) advances. Vikarṇa, a young Kaurava prince described as highly intelligent, steps forward to block or hold him back, setting up a direct youthful confrontation on the field.