Shloka 4
Karṇa-vadha-pratyaya: Yudhiṣṭhira’s Verification of Karṇa’s Fall (कर्णवध-प्रत्ययः)
तत् सादिनागकलिलं पदातिरथसंकुलम् | धृष्टद्युम्नमुखं व्यूहमशो भत महद् बलम्,घुड़सवारों, हाथियों, रथों तथा पैदलोंसे भरे हुए उस व्यूहके मुखभागमें धृष्टद्युम्न खड़े थे, जिससे उस विशाल सेनाकी बड़ी शोभा हो रही थी
tat sādināgakalilaṁ padātirathasaṅkulam | dhṛṣṭadyumnamukhaṁ vyūham aśobhat mahat balam ||
Sañjaya said: That great army shone splendidly as a battle-formation densely packed with horsemen and elephants, and crowded with infantry and chariots; at the very front of that array stood Dhṛṣṭadyumna, giving it both order and brilliance in the midst of war’s tumult.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the classical epic ideal of leadership and order in warfare: a vast force gains coherence and ‘splendour’ when guided from the front by a responsible commander. It implicitly contrasts disciplined formation and command with mere chaotic mass, underscoring the kṣatriya emphasis on organized conduct even amid violence.
Sañjaya describes a great battle-array packed with cavalry, elephants, infantry, and chariots. Dhṛṣṭadyumna is positioned at the head of the formation, and his presence at the front makes the army appear especially formidable and resplendent.