Shloka 53
Droṇa-parva Adhyāya 25 — Bhīma’s Disruption of Elephant Formations and Bhagadatta’s Shock Advance
सौमदत्तिस्तु राजानं मणिमन्तमतन्द्रितम् । पर्यवारयदायान्तं यशो द्रोणस्य वर्धयन्,सोमदत्तकुमार भूरिश्रवाने द्रोणाचार्यका यश बढ़ाते हुए उनपर आक्रमण करनेवाले आलस्यरहित राजा मणिमान्को रोक दिया
saumadattis tu rājānaṃ maṇimantam atandritam | paryavārayad āyāntaṃ yaśo droṇasya vardhayan ||
Sañjaya said: The son of Somadatta—ever alert—checked King Maṇimān as he advanced to attack, thereby enhancing Droṇa’s renown. In the fierce ethics of battle, this act shows vigilant protection of one’s commander and the disciplined duty of a warrior to obstruct an onrushing foe.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights vigilant duty in warfare: a warrior’s alertness and timely restraint of an advancing enemy serves the larger obligation of protecting one’s leader and upholding the honor (yaśas) of the commander and the cause.
As King Maṇimān advances to attack, Bhūriśravas (Saumadatti), acting without slackness, blocks and restrains him; this defensive intervention is presented as contributing to Droṇa’s glory on the battlefield.