Shloka 416
धृतराष्ट्र-संजय-संवादः — सात्यकि-अलम्बुसयोर्युद्धवर्णनम्
Dhṛtarāṣṭra–Saṃjaya Dialogue; Account of Sātyaki vs Alambusa
नानादेशसमुत्थैश्ष पदातिभिरधिष्ितम् । “जहाँ सूतपुत्र कर्णको आगे करके बहुत-से दाक्षिणात्य योद्धा खड़े हैं, हाथी, घोड़ों और रथोंसे भरी हुई जो वह सेना दृष्टिगोचर हो रही है, उसमें अनेक देशोंके पैदल सैनिक मौजूद हैं; तुम वहाँ भी मेरे रथको ले चलो'
nāna-deśa-samutthaiḥ padātibhir adhiṣṭhitam | yatra sūta-putraṁ karṇam agre kṛtvā bahavaḥ dākṣiṇātyā yoddhāḥ tiṣṭhanti, hastibhir aśvaiś ca rathaiś ca paripūrṇā yā sā senā dṛśyate, tasyāṁ nānā-deśīyāḥ padātayaḥ santi; tatrāpi mama rathaṁ lehi |
Sañjaya said: “It is occupied by foot-soldiers drawn from many different regions. There, with Karṇa—the charioteer’s son—placed in the forefront, many warriors from the southern lands stand ready. The army that comes into view, packed with elephants, horses, and chariots, also contains infantry from numerous countries. Drive my chariot there as well.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical weight of leadership in war: commanders deliberately place key champions at the front and marshal diverse troops and arms. It underscores responsibility for strategic choices that determine life and death on the battlefield.
Sañjaya describes a visible battle formation: an army crowded with elephants, horses, and chariots, and filled with infantry from many regions. Karṇa is positioned at the forefront with many southern warriors, and the speaker orders that the chariot be driven toward that sector as well.