Shloka 2
Adhyāya 21 — Duryodhanasya bāṇavarṣaḥ
Duryodhana’s Arrow-Storm and the Dust-Obscured Engagements
तत् प्रभग्नं बल॑ दृष्टवा कृतवर्मा महारथ: । दधार समरे शूर: शत्रुसैन्यं महाबल:,अपनी सेनाका व्यूह भंग हुआ देखकर महाबलवान् महारथी शूरवीर कृतवर्माने समरांगणमें शत्रुकी सेनाको आगे बढ़नेसे रोक दिया
tat prabhagnaṃ balaṃ dṛṣṭvā kṛtavarmā mahārathaḥ | dadhāra samare śūraḥ śatru-sainyaṃ mahābalaḥ ||
Sañjaya said: Seeing his own army’s formation shattered, the mighty warrior Kṛtavarmā—heroic and a great charioteer—held firm in the battle and checked the enemy host from pressing forward.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
When collective order breaks down, dharma in a warrior-leader appears as steadiness and restraint: preventing the enemy from exploiting panic, protecting one’s side, and restoring discipline rather than surrendering to confusion.
Sañjaya reports that the Kaurava formation has been shattered; in response, Kṛtavarmā stands his ground and checks the enemy’s advance on the battlefield.