अध्याय ६० — कर्णस्य पाञ्चाल-सोमक-निग्रहः
Karna’s Suppression of the Panchala–Somaka Forces
ततः सरथनागाश्चा: पञ्चाला: पाण्डुपूर्वज । सेनापतिं परीप्सन्तो रुरुधुस्तनयं तव
tataḥ sa-ratha-nāgāś ca pāñcālāḥ pāṇḍu-pūrvaja | senāpatiṃ parīpsanto rurudhustanayaṃ tava || pāṇḍuke jyeṣṭha bhrātā rājan tab senāpati dhṛṣṭadyumnakī rakṣāke liye rathoṃ hāthiyoṃ aur ghōṛoṃ-sahit pāñcāloṃne āpke putrako cāroṃ orse gher liyā ||
قال سنجيا: ثم إنّ البانچالَة—وقد ساندتهم العرباتُ الحربيةُ والفيلةُ والفرسان—أطبقوا الحصارَ على ابنِك، أيها الملك، يا أكبرَ إخوةِ باندو. وإذ كانوا يبتغون أسرَ القائد، أحاطوا به من كل جانب، عازمين على حماية قائدهم هم، دْهْرِشْتَديومْنَة.
संजय उवाच
The verse highlights a wartime ethic and strategy: armies prioritize the safety of their own commander while attempting to neutralize the enemy’s leadership. It reflects how loyalty and command-structure become decisive moral and practical concerns in kṣatriya warfare.
Sañjaya reports that the Pāñcālas, with chariots, elephants, and cavalry, surround Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s son from all sides. Their aim is to seize the opposing commander while ensuring the protection of their own general, Dhṛṣṭadyumna.