Shloka 23
Aśvatthāmā’s Lamentation, Vow of Retaliation, and the Manifestation of the Nārāyaṇāstra (द्रोणपर्व, अध्याय १६६)
संजय कहते हैं--कुरुनन्दन महाराज! युद्धकी इच्छावाले द्रोणाचार्यका मत जानकर दुर्योधनने उस रातमें अपने वशवर्ती भाइयोंसे तथा कर्ण, वृषसेन, मद्रराज शल्य, दुर्धर्ष, दीर्घबाहु तथा जो-जो उनके पीछे चलनेवाले थे, उन सबसे इस प्रकार कहा-- ।। द्रोणं यत्ता: पराक्रान्ता: सर्वे रक्षन्तु पृष्ठत: । हार्दिक्यो दक्षिणं चक्र शल्यश्लैवोत्तरं तथा,आचार्यो हि सुसंयत्तो भृशं यत्ताश्न पाण्डवा: | त॑ रक्षत सुसंयत्ता निध्नन्तं शात्रवान् रणे “आचार्य पूर्णतः सावधान हैं, पाण्डव भी विजयके लिये विशेष यत्नशील एवं सावधान हैं। तुमलोग रणभूमिमें शत्रु-सैनिकोंका संहार करते हुए आचार्यकी पूरी सावधानीके साथ रक्षा करो
sañjaya uvāca—kurunandana mahārāja! yuddhecchāvatā droṇācāryasya mataṃ jñātvā duryodhano niśi svavaśavartibhiḥ bhrātṛbhiḥ saha tathā karṇena vṛṣasenena madrarājena śalyena durdharṣeṇa dīrghabāhunā ca ye ca teṣāṃ paścād anuyāyinaḥ, tān sarvān evam uvāca—“droṇaṃ yattāḥ parākrāntāḥ sarve rakṣantu pṛṣṭhataḥ; hārdikyo dakṣiṇaṃ cakraṃ śalyaś caiva uttaraṃ tathā. ācāryo hi susaṃyatto bhṛśaṃ yattāś ca pāṇḍavāḥ; taṃ rakṣata susaṃyattā nighnantaṃ śatravān raṇe.”
Sañjaya said: “O Kurunandana king! Having understood the battle-plan and resolve of Droṇācārya, Duryodhana, that night, addressed his obedient brothers and also Karṇa, Vṛṣasena, the king of Madra Śalya, Durdharṣa, Dīrghabāhu, and all who followed them. He said: ‘Let all the valiant, fully prepared, protect Droṇa from the rear. Hārdikya should form the right wing, and Śalya the northern side. The teacher is completely vigilant, and the Pāṇḍavas too are strenuously intent on victory. Therefore, remain well-arrayed and guard him with utmost care as he strikes down the enemy hosts in battle.’”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights wartime dharma as disciplined coordination: even a powerful commander must be protected through orderly formations, vigilance, and collective responsibility. It also underscores ethical realism in war—recognizing the enemy’s preparedness and responding with careful strategy rather than arrogance.
At night, after grasping Droṇa’s intended battle plan, Duryodhana issues tactical instructions to his key allies and brothers: protect Droṇa from the rear, assign Hārdikya to the right wing and Śalya to the northern side, and maintain tight defensive readiness while Droṇa attacks the enemy forces.