Mahabharata — Shalya Parva, Shloka 25
शल्यवधे कौरवसेनाभङ्गः, भीमस्य गदायुद्धं, दुर्योधनस्य समाह्वानम्
Rout after Śalya’s fall; Bhīma’s mace engagement; Duryodhana’s rally
शकुनि बोला--नरेश्वर! युद्धस्थलमें रोषामर्षके वशीभूत हुए वीर स्वामीकी आज्ञाका पालन नहीं करते हैं; वैसी दशामें इनपर क्रोध करना उचित नहीं है। यह इनकी उपेक्षा करनेका समय नहीं है। हम सब लोग एक साथ हो मद्रराजके महाधनुर्धर सेवकोंकी रक्षाके लिये हाथी
sañjaya uvāca | evaṁ sarve ’nusañcintya prayayur yatra sainikāḥ | evam uktaḥ tadā rājā balena mahatā vṛtaḥ ||
Sañjaya sprach: Nachdem sie dies gemeinsam erwogen hatten, brachen sie alle dorthin auf, wo die Truppen standen. Und der König, so angesprochen, war zu jener Zeit von einer großen Streitmacht umgeben.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights prudent leadership in crisis: collective deliberation followed by coordinated action, and the importance of moving with adequate support (being ‘surrounded by a great force’) rather than acting impulsively or alone.
After counsel has been given and considered, the group proceeds to the location of the troops. The king, having been addressed, is depicted as accompanied and protected by a large military contingent as they move into the unfolding battle situation.