Shloka 39
Bhagadatta’s Advance, the Saṃśaptaka Challenge, and Arjuna’s Counterstrike (द्रोणपर्व, अध्याय २६)
व्यवच्छिद्य तु राजानं भगदत्तं युधिष्ठिर:
vyavacchidya tu rājānaṃ bhagadattaṃ yudhiṣṭhiraḥ
قال سانجيا: ثم إن يودهيشتيرا، بعدما قطع الصلة وعزل الملك بهاگاداتا عن قواته المُسانِدة، تقدّم ليكبحه—وهو فعلُ ملكٍ حصيفٍ في قلب الحرب، قصد به تحييدَ خطرٍ مهيبٍ دون إثارة فوضى لا حاجة لها.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in violent conflict, righteous leadership expresses itself through restraint and clarity of purpose: isolating a dangerous opponent is a measured strategy that limits wider harm and prevents chaos, aligning martial action with responsible kingship.
Sañjaya reports that Yudhiṣṭhira acts against King Bhagadatta by separating him from his support—suggesting a tactical move on the battlefield to neutralize Bhagadatta’s threat and control the flow of combat.