Shloka 21
नारायणास्त्र-शमनं द्रौणि-प्रहारश्च
Pacification of the Nārāyaṇāstra and Drauni’s Renewed Assault
शिखण्डिनं तु समरे द्रोणप्रेप्सुं विशाम्पते । कृप: शारद्वतो यत्त: प्रत्यगच्छत् सवेगित:
śikhaṇḍinaṃ tu samare droṇaprepsuṃ viśāmpate | kṛpaḥ śāradvato yatnaḥ pratyagacchat savegitaḥ ||
Sañjaya sprach: O Herr der Menschen, als Kṛpa — Sohn des Śaradvat — Śikhaṇḍin sah, der begierig war, Droṇa im Kampf zu stellen, bemühte er sich, ihm entgegenzutreten, und stürmte mit großer Geschwindigkeit voran.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights battlefield dharma: when a formidable threat moves to strike a key leader (Droṇa), responsible warriors (here Kṛpa) step forward to intercept, prioritizing protection of their commander and fulfilling their martial obligation even amid moral complexity.
Śikhaṇḍi, intent on confronting Droṇa, advances in the battle. Kṛpācārya, identified as Śāradvata (son of Śaradvat), hastens forward to meet Śikhaṇḍi and oppose him.