Shloka 28
Kaurava Mobilization at Kurukṣetra (Duryodhana Orders War Preparations) / कुरुक्षेत्रे धार्तराष्ट्र-सैन्यसज्जा
क्षिप्रहस्तश्चित्रयोधी मत: सेनापतिर्मम । अभेद्यकवच: श्रीमान् मातड़ इव यूथप:
kṣiprahastaś citrayodhī mataḥ senāpatir mama | abhedyakavacaḥ śrīmān mātaṅga iva yūthapaḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana said: “In my judgment, the illustrious Dhṛṣṭadyumna is fit to be commander of the army—swift of hand, skilled in fighting with varied and artful tactics, protected by armor that cannot be pierced, and splendid like a leading elephant of the herd.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the dharmic criteria for military leadership in a crisis: a commander should be swift in action, tactically versatile, well-protected (symbolizing steadiness and reliability), and capable of leading and inspiring the host like a herd-leader elephant.
Vaiśampāyana describes the qualities that make Dhṛṣṭadyumna suitable to be appointed senāpati, praising his speed, skill in varied modes of combat, strong protection, and commanding presence.