Shloka 13
Jayadratha-rakṣā: Conch Signals and Encirclement of Arjuna
Chapter 79
'भीमसेनके बलको धिक्कार है, अर्जुनके धनुष-धारणको धिककार है, वृष्णिवंशी वीरोंके पराक्रमको धिक्कार है तथा पांचालोंके बलको भी धिककार है! ।। धिक्केकयांस्तथा चेदीन् मत्स्यांश्नैवाथ सृञ्जयान् । ये त्वां रणगतं वीरं न शेकुरभिरक्षितुम्,“केकय, चेदि तथा मत्स्यदेशके वीरों और सूंजयवंशी क्षत्रियोंको भी धिक्कार है, जो युद्धमें गये हुए तुम-जैसे वीरकी रक्षा न कर सके
dhik kekayāṁs tathā cedīn matsyāṁś caiva atha sṛñjayān | ye tvāṁ raṇagataṁ vīraṁ na śekur abhirakṣitum ||
Sañjaya said: “Shame upon the Kekayas, the Cedis, the Matsyas, and the Sṛñjayas—those warriors who could not protect you, a hero, when you had entered the battle.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores kṣatriya-dharma in wartime: allies and fellow warriors bear a moral responsibility to protect a valiant combatant who has entered battle. Failure to provide such protection becomes a cause for public censure, framed as a breach of honor and duty rather than a mere tactical lapse.
Sañjaya reports a harsh condemnation directed at several allied groups—Kekayas, Cedis, Matsyas, and Sṛñjayas—because they could not safeguard a particular hero on the battlefield. The tone is accusatory and lamenting, highlighting the gravity of the hero’s peril or loss and the perceived failure of his protectors.