Shloka 26
Droṇasya raudra-prayogaḥ
Droṇa’s intensified assault and the Pāṇḍava response
राजन! हमारे महामनस्वी शत्रुओंकी सेनाका क्रौंचव्यूह दिखायी देता था। भारत! धर्मराज युधिष्ठिरने स्वयं ही प्रसन्नतापूर्वक उस व्यूहकी रचना की थी ।। व्यूहप्रमुखतस्तेषां तस्थतु: पुरुषर्षभौ । वानरध्वजमुच्छित्य विष्वक्सेनधनंजयौ,पाण्डवोंके उस व्यूहके अग्रभागमें अपनी वानरध्वजाको बहुत ऊँचेतक फहराते हुए पुरुषोत्तम भगवान् श्रीकृष्ण और अर्जुन खड़े हुए थे
rājan! asmākaṁ mahāmanasvī-śatrūṇāṁ senāyāḥ krauñca-vyūhaḥ dṛśyate sma. bhārata! dharmarāja yudhiṣṭhirena svayam eva prasannatā-pūrvakaṁ tasya vyūhasya racanā kṛtā. vyūha-pramukhatas teṣāṁ tasthatuḥ puruṣarṣabhau; vānara-dhvajam ucchitya viśvaksena-dhanañjayau.
Sanjaya said: “O King, the Krauñca (crane-shaped) battle-formation of our high-souled enemies’ army could be seen. O descendant of Bharata, Dharmaraja Yudhishthira himself had gladly arranged that formation. At the very front of the Pandavas’ array stood two best of men—Krishna, the all-directing commander, and Dhananjaya (Arjuna)—raising aloft the banner marked with the monkey.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even amid war, leadership is framed through dharma and disciplined order: Yudhishthira arranges the formation with composure, while Krishna and Arjuna stand at the forefront, symbolizing guided action—strength directed by righteous counsel and steadfast purpose.
Sanjaya reports to Dhritarashtra that the enemy (Pandava) army is seen in the Krauñca formation, arranged by Yudhishthira. At the head of that array, Krishna and Arjuna stand prominently, with Arjuna’s monkey-banner raised high.