Shloka 526
वृत:ः शिखण्डी त्वरितो राजानं पृष्ठतो5न्वयात् । तदनन्तर शिखण्डी, एक सहस्र रथ, तीन सौ हाथी, पाँच हजार घोड़े तथा पांचालों और प्रभद्रकोंकी सेना साथ ले उनसे घिरा हुआ शीतघ्रतापूर्वक राजा युधिष्ठिरके पीछे-पीछे गया
vṛtaḥ śikhaṇḍī tvarito rājānaṃ pṛṣṭhato 'nvayāt | tad-anantaraṃ śikhaṇḍī eka-sahasra-rathaiḥ trī-śata-hastibhiḥ pañca-sahasra-aśvaiḥ tathā pāñcālānāṃ prabhadrakāṇāṃ ca senayā sārdhaṃ parivṛtaḥ śīghratayā rājā yudhiṣṭhiraṃ pṛṣṭhato 'nvagāt ||
Sañjaya said: Then Śikhaṇḍī, moving swiftly and surrounded by a strong force—one thousand chariots, three hundred elephants, five thousand horses, along with the armies of the Pāñcālas and the Prabhadrakas—followed close behind King Yudhiṣṭhira. In the midst of war’s confusion, the scene underscores disciplined protection of the rightful leader, where loyalty and coordinated support become a practical expression of dharma on the battlefield.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even amid violence and uncertainty, dharma is upheld through disciplined loyalty and the protection of rightful leadership; coordinated support of the king is portrayed as an ethical duty of allies and commanders.
Sañjaya reports that Śikhaṇḍī quickly follows behind King Yudhiṣṭhira, surrounded by a large contingent of chariots, elephants, horses, and allied troops of the Pāñcālas and Prabhadrakas, indicating a protective escort and organized movement within the battle.