Shloka 18
Droṇācāryaḥ Senāpatiḥ
Droṇa Appointed Commander-in-Chief
को हि तिष्ठति दुर्थर्षे द्रोणे शस्त्रभृतां वरे । सेनापतिःस्यादन्यो<स्माच्छुक्राज्ञिरसदर्शनात्,सम्पूर्ण शस्त्रधारियोंमें श्रेष्ठ, दुर्जय वीर द्रोणाचार्यके रहते हुए इन शुक्राचार्य और बृहस्पतिके समान महानुभावको छोड़कर दूसरा कौन सेनापति हो सकता है?
ko hi tiṣṭhati durdharṣe droṇe śastrabhṛtāṃ vare | senāpatiḥ syād anyo 'smāc chukrājñirasa-darśanāt ||
Karna said: “Who could stand firm when the unconquerable Droṇa—foremost among those who bear weapons—is present? Other than this man, whose stature is like that of Śukra and Aṅgiras (Bṛhaspati), who else could rightly be commander of the army?”
कर्ण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores role-based dharma in wartime: command should rest with the most capable and authoritative warrior-teacher. Karna frames Droṇa’s appointment as ethically fitting because competence, stature, and strategic wisdom justify leadership.
In the Drona Parva, Karna argues for Droṇa’s supremacy among warriors and supports his suitability as commander-in-chief, praising him as nearly equal in stature to the great divine preceptors Śukra and Bṛhaspati (Aṅgiras).