Shloka 22
Chapter 19: Prativyūha of the Pāṇḍavas — Vajra (Acala) Formation and Dawn Omens
धृष्टय्युम्नश्ष पाञ्चाल्यस्तेषां गोप्ता महारथ: । सहित: पृतनाशूरै रथमुख्यै: प्रभद्रकै:
dhṛṣṭadyumnaś ca pāñcālyas teṣāṃ goptā mahārathaḥ | sahitaḥ pṛtanāśūrai rathamukhyaiḥ prabhadrakaiḥ ||
Sañjaya said: The Pāñcāla prince Dhṛṣṭadyumna, a great chariot-warrior, served as the protector of those troops. He guarded them while accompanied by picked heroes of the army and foremost charioteers known as the Prabhadrakas—an image of disciplined leadership and responsibility amid the chaos of war.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in warfare, dharma expresses itself as responsibility: a commander’s role is not merely to attack but to protect and organize those under his charge. Dhṛṣṭadyumna is portrayed as a guardian-leader, embodying disciplined stewardship amid violence.
Sañjaya describes the Pāṇḍava-side formation and its defenders: Dhṛṣṭadyumna, the Pāñcāla prince and a mahāratha, is stationed as the protector, supported by chosen army-heroes and the foremost chariot-warriors called the Prabhadrakas.