Shloka 296
भीष्मपर्व — अध्याय 54: फल्गुन-प्रतिरोधः, सौबली-व्यूह-विध्वंसः, दुर्योधन-भीष्म-संवादः
सैनापत्यमनुप्राप्तो धृष्टद्युम्नो महाबल: । 'ये ट्रुपदपुत्र महाबली धृष्टद्युम्म भी सदा आपका हित चाहते हैं और आपके प्रिय- साधनमें तत्पर होकर ही इन्होंने प्रधान सेनापतिका गुरुतर भार ग्रहण किया है
saināpatyam anuprāpto dhṛṣṭadyumno mahābalaḥ |
Sañjaya said: The mighty Dhṛṣṭadyumna has assumed the office of commander-in-chief, taking upon himself the heavy responsibility of leading the army—an act presented as undertaken with steadfast intent to serve his side’s welfare and to pursue what is deemed beneficial for his allies in the righteous yet tragic context of war.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds kṣātra-dharma in practice: leadership is not mere honor but a weighty obligation. Accepting command implies readiness to bear consequences, protect one’s side, and act with disciplined intent amid the moral gravity of war.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Dhṛṣṭadyumna—renowned for strength—has taken up the role of commander-in-chief of the Pāṇḍava forces, signaling an organized assumption of military leadership as the battle unfolds.