Shloka 9
Abhimanyunidhana-prakāśaḥ — Vasudeva–Kṛṣṇa–Subhadrā–Kuntī śoka-saṃvāda
Disclosure and Consolation
शिखण्डी पाण्डुपुत्राणां नेता सप्तचमूपति: । बभूव रक्षितो धीमान् श्रीमता सव्यसाचिना,पाण्डवोंके सेनानायक शिखण्डी थे, जो सात अक्षौहिणी सेनाओंका संचालन करते थे। बुद्धिमान शिखण्डी श्रीमान् सव्यसाची अर्जुनके द्वारा सुरक्षित थे
śikhaṇḍī pāṇḍuputrāṇāṁ netā saptacamūpatiḥ | babhūva rakṣito dhīmān śrīmatā savyasācinā ||
Vāsudeva sprach: „Śikhaṇḍī wurde der Befehlshaber der Söhne Pāṇḍus, ein Führer über sieben Heeresdivisionen (akṣauhiṇīs). Jener kluge Krieger stand unter dem Schutz des ruhmreichen Savyasācin (Arjuna).“ Ethisch hebt der Vers disziplinierte Führung und die Pflicht zum Schutz in einer gerechten Sache hervor: Befehl ist mit Verantwortung verbunden, und Stärke wird durch besonnene Bewachung gelenkt.
वासुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
Leadership in dharmic warfare is not merely rank but responsibility: the commander must be supported and safeguarded so that the larger cause is served effectively. The verse also underscores the ethic of protection—Arjuna’s guardianship of Śikhaṇḍī reflects disciplined cooperation and strategic duty rather than isolated heroism.
Vāsudeva describes the Pāṇḍava war-organization: Śikhaṇḍī is presented as a leading commander over the seven army-divisions, while Arjuna (Savyasācin) specifically protects him—indicating coordinated roles on the battlefield and the importance of shielding a key figure in the campaign.