Shloka 20

Droṇācāryaḥ Senāpatiḥ

Droṇa Appointed Commander-in-Chief

Devanagari script

एष सेनाप्रणेतृणामेष शस्त्रभूतामपि | एष बुद्धिमतां चैव श्रेष्ठो राजन्‌ गुरुस्तव,राजन! तुम्हारे ये गुरुदेव समस्त सेनापतियों, शस्त्रधारियों और बुद्धिमानोंमें श्रेष्ठ हैं

Transliteration

eṣa senāpraṇetṝṇām eṣa śastrabhūtām api | eṣa buddhimatāṁ caiva śreṣṭho rājan gurus tava ||

Translation

Karna said: “O King, this man—your teacher—is foremost among commanders of armies, among those who are themselves like living weapons, and among the wise as well.”

Word by Word

एषःthis (man)

सेना-प्रणेतॄणाम्of the army-leaders (commanders)

एषःthis (man)

शस्त्र-भूतानाम्of those who are as weapons / weapon-like (i.e., armed men)

अपिalso, even

एषःthis (man)

बुद्धि-मताम्of the intelligent (wise)

चand

एवindeed, certainly

श्रेष्ठःthe best, foremost

राजन्O king

गुरुःteacher, preceptor

तवyour

Speaker

कर्ण उवाच

Characters & Entities

Karna

Duryodhana (implied by 'rājan')

Guru (Droṇa, implied by context)

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

War Context

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Geographic Context

Cross References

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse elevates the guru as the highest authority in war—superior in command, weapon-skill, and intellect—implying that rightful strategy and conduct should be anchored in reverence for disciplined expertise and established guidance.

What is happening in the narrative?

In the Drona Parva context, Karna addresses the king (Duryodhana) to emphasize the exceptional stature of their teacher (Droṇa), reinforcing confidence in his leadership and urging deference to him amid the unfolding battle decisions.