Shloka 22
Droṇa’s Defensive Stand and Abhimanyu Commissioned to Breach the Cakravyūha (द्रोणानीक-प्रतिरोधः; सौभद्र-नियोजनम्)
उसके दोनों ओर चँवर और व्यजन डुलाये जा रहे थे। वह उदयकालके सूर्यकी भाँति प्रकाशित हो रहा था। उस सेनाके अग्रभागमें सेनापति द्रोणाचार्य खड़े थे ।। सिन्धुराजस्तथातिष्ठ च्छीमान् मेरुरिवाचल: । सिन्धुराजस्य पार्श्वस्था अश्वत्थामपुरोगमा:,वहीं सिंधुराज श्रीमान् राजा जयद्रथ भी मेरु पर्वतकी भाँति खड़ा था। उसके पार्श्च भागमें अश्वत्थामा आदि महारथी विद्यमान थे
tasya ubhayataḥ cāmarāṇi vyajanāni ca vījyamānāni sma | sa udayakālasya sūrya iva prakāśate sma | tasyāḥ senāyāḥ agrabhāge senāpatiḥ droṇācāryaḥ tiṣṭhati sma || sindhurājaḥ tathātiṣṭhac chrīmān merur ivācalaḥ | sindhurājasya pārśvasthā aśvatthāmā-purogamāḥ ||
On both sides of him, chowries and fans were being waved. He shone like the sun at dawn. At the very front of that army stood its commander, Droṇācārya. Likewise the Sindhu-king, the illustrious Jayadratha, stood firm like the immovable Mount Meru; and near him were great chariot-warriors led by Aśvatthāmā. The scene underscores how royal splendor and martial display are used to steady morale and project legitimacy in war, even as the conflict advances toward grievous, ethically fraught outcomes.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how outward signs of sovereignty—ceremonial attendants, radiant imagery, and mountain-like steadfastness—are deployed to project authority and stabilize an army’s confidence. Ethically, it hints at the Mahābhārata’s recurring tension: impressive power and display do not by themselves guarantee righteousness; they can serve any cause, noble or flawed.
Sañjaya describes the Kaurava battle formation: the commander Droṇācārya stands at the army’s front, while Jayadratha, king of Sindhu, stands firm like Mount Meru, with warriors led by Aśvatthāmā positioned near him. The description sets the battlefield tableau and the chain of command and support around key figures.