Shloka 21
Adhyāya 16: Saṃśaptaka-vrata and the Diversion of Arjuna (द्रोणपर्व, अध्याय १६)
चक्ररक्ष: कुमारस्तु पठचालानां यशस्कर: । दधार द्रोणमायान्तं वेलेव सरितां प्रतिम,उस समय पांचालोंके यशको बढ़ानेवाले कुमारने, जो युधिष्ठिरके रथ-चक्रकी रक्षा कर रहे थे, आते हुए द्रोणाचार्यको उसी प्रकार रोक दिया, जैसे तटभूमि समुद्रको रोकती है
cakrarakṣaḥ kumāras tu pāñcālānāṃ yaśaskaraḥ | dadhāra droṇam āyāntaṃ velā iva saritāṃ pratimaḥ ||
Sañjaya said: The young warrior, famed for enhancing the glory of the Pāñcālas and serving as the protector of Yudhiṣṭhira’s chariot-wheel, checked the advancing Droṇācārya—just as a shoreline holds back the sea (or as a riverbank restrains the waters).
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights kṣatriya-duty expressed as protective service: guarding a leader’s chariot and restraining a superior foe. Ethical emphasis lies in steadfastness and responsibility—fame (yaśas) arises from fulfilling one’s assigned role under pressure.
As Droṇācārya advances in battle, a young Pāñcāla warrior—stationed as the defender of Yudhiṣṭhira’s chariot-wheel—interposes himself and halts Droṇa’s progress, compared to a bank or shore restraining surging waters.