Shloka 9
Abhimanyunidhana-prakāśaḥ — Vasudeva–Kṛṣṇa–Subhadrā–Kuntī śoka-saṃvāda
Disclosure and Consolation
शिखण्डी पाण्डुपुत्राणां नेता सप्तचमूपति: । बभूव रक्षितो धीमान् श्रीमता सव्यसाचिना,पाण्डवोंके सेनानायक शिखण्डी थे, जो सात अक्षौहिणी सेनाओंका संचालन करते थे। बुद्धिमान शिखण्डी श्रीमान् सव्यसाची अर्जुनके द्वारा सुरक्षित थे
śikhaṇḍī pāṇḍuputrāṇāṁ netā saptacamūpatiḥ | babhūva rakṣito dhīmān śrīmatā savyasācinā ||
Dijo Vāsudeva: «Śikhaṇḍī llegó a ser el comandante de los hijos de Pāṇḍu, jefe de siete divisiones del ejército (akṣauhiṇīs). Aquel guerrero prudente era protegido por el ilustre Savyasācin (Arjuna).» En términos éticos, el verso resalta el liderazgo disciplinado y el deber de amparo en una causa justa: el mando va unido a la responsabilidad, y la fuerza se guía por una tutela sensata.
वासुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
Leadership in dharmic warfare is not merely rank but responsibility: the commander must be supported and safeguarded so that the larger cause is served effectively. The verse also underscores the ethic of protection—Arjuna’s guardianship of Śikhaṇḍī reflects disciplined cooperation and strategic duty rather than isolated heroism.
Vāsudeva describes the Pāṇḍava war-organization: Śikhaṇḍī is presented as a leading commander over the seven army-divisions, while Arjuna (Savyasācin) specifically protects him—indicating coordinated roles on the battlefield and the importance of shielding a key figure in the campaign.