Shloka 96
अन्वयु: समरे राजंस्ततो युद्धमवर्तत । राजन! तत्पश्चात् समस्त पाण्डव भी युधिष्ठिरको सब ओरसे घेरकर उनका अनुसरण करने लगे; फिर तो दोनों दलोंमें भारी युद्ध छिड़ गया
anvayuḥ samare rājan tato yuddham avartata | rājan tatpaścāt samastāḥ pāṇḍavā bhī yudhiṣṭhiram sarvataḥ gherayitvā tam anusaranti sma; tataḥ ubhayasainyayoḥ ghoraṃ yuddhaṃ samajāyata ||
Sañjaya said: “O King, they pressed forward on the battlefield, and then the fighting surged again. After that, all the Pāṇḍavas surrounded Yudhiṣṭhira from every side and followed close behind him; and thus a fierce battle erupted between the two armies.” The verse underscores the protective duty of comrades in war—shielding the righteous leader—while also showing how quickly collective resolve can intensify violence once pursuit and encirclement begin.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a warrior-ethic within dharma: companions rally to protect their leader (Yudhiṣṭhira) by surrounding him, yet the same solidarity can also accelerate the spread of violence when pursuit turns into full-scale battle.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that movement and pursuit on the battlefield lead to renewed fighting; the Pāṇḍavas close ranks around Yudhiṣṭhira and advance with him, and a fierce clash breaks out between the two armies.