Shloka 21
धृतराष्ट्र-संजय-संवादः — सैन्यप्रशंसा, भेदनवृत्तान्त-प्रश्नः
Dhṛtarāṣṭra–Sañjaya Dialogue: Praise of the Host and Inquiry after the Breach
ततो दुःशासनश्वैव विकर्णश्र॒ तवात्मजौ । सिन्धुराजार्थसिद्धयर्थमग्रानीके व्यवस्थितौ,तत्पश्चात् आपके दो पुत्र दःशासन और विकर्ण सिन्धुराज जयद्रथके अभीष्ट अर्थकी सिद्धिके लिये सेनाके अग्रभागमें खड़े हुए
tato duḥśāsanaś caiva vikarṇaś ca tava ātmajau | sindhurājārthasiddhyartham agrānīke vyavasthitau ||
Sañjaya said: Then your two sons, Duḥśāsana and Vikarṇa, took their stand at the very front of the army, intent on securing the desired objective of the Sindhu-king Jayadratha.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how, in the pressure of war, loyalty to one’s side and allies can lead to deliberate self-risk at the front. Ethically, it invites reflection on the difference between steadfast duty and blind partisanship—courage and commitment are evident, yet the cause they serve must also be weighed against dharma.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Duḥśāsana and Vikarṇa move to the army’s vanguard, positioning themselves to help accomplish Jayadratha’s objective—i.e., to secure his interests and ensure his success/safety amid the ongoing battle arrangements.