Shloka 32
Adhyāya 16: Saṃśaptaka-vrata and the Diversion of Arjuna (द्रोणपर्व, अध्याय १६)
ततो विराटद्रुपदौ केकया: सात्यकि: शिबि: । व्याप्रदत्तश्न पाज्चाल्य: सिंहसेनश्न वीर्यवान्,यह देख विराट, ट्रपद, केकय, सात्यकि, शिबि, पांचालदेशीय व्याप्रदत्त तथा पराक्रमी सिंहसेन--ये तथा और भी बहुत-से नरेश राजा युधिष्ठिरकी रक्षा करनेके लिये बहुत-से सायकोंकी वर्षा करते हुए द्रोणाचार्यकी राह रोककर खड़े हो गये
tato virāṭa-drupadau kekayāḥ sātyakiḥ śibiḥ | vyāpradattaś ca pāñcālyaḥ siṃhasenaś ca vīryavān ||
Sañjaya said: Then Virāṭa and Drupada, the Kekayas, Sātyaki, Śibi, the Pāñcāla prince Vyāpradatta, and the valiant Siṃhasena—these and many other kings, intent on protecting King Yudhiṣṭhira, stood firm to block Droṇācārya’s advance, showering him with volleys of arrows.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights kṣatriya-dharma expressed as collective guardianship: allies set aside individual concerns to protect their rightful leader (Yudhiṣṭhira) and to restrain a dangerous threat (Droṇa). Ethical emphasis falls on loyalty, courage, and coordinated action in defense of one’s charge.
A group of prominent Pāṇḍava-aligned kings and warriors—Virāṭa, Drupada, the Kekayas, Sātyaki, Śibi, Vyāpradatta, and Siṃhasena—take position to stop Droṇācārya’s advance. They confront him directly and shower him with arrows, forming a protective barrier around Yudhiṣṭhira.