Shloka 64
अर्जुनस्य द्रोणिप्रतिघातः कर्णोपसर्पणं च
Arjuna Checks Droṇaputra; Karṇa Advances
ततस्ते पाण्डवा राजन् शिखण्डी च ससात्यकि: । राधेयात् परिरक्षन्तो राजानं पर्यवारयन्
tataste pāṇḍavā rājan śikhaṇḍī ca sasātyakiḥ | rādheyāt parirakṣanto rājānaṃ paryavārayan ||
Sañjaya said: “Then, O King, the Pāṇḍavas—together with Śikhaṇḍī and Sātyaki—formed a protective ring around their king. Guarding Yudhiṣṭhira against Rādheya (Karna), they surrounded him on all sides, intent on shielding their ruler amid the press of battle.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights rājan-dharma and collective responsibility: a king’s safety is tied to the vigilance and loyalty of his protectors, and in crisis dharma expresses itself as coordinated protection of the rightful leader rather than isolated heroism.
During the battle, the Pāṇḍavas, along with Śikhaṇḍī and Sātyaki, close ranks around King Yudhiṣṭhira to shield him specifically from Karna (Rādheya), forming a defensive encirclement.