Shloka 18
अस्त्रयुद्धे द्रौणिपार्थसंघर्षः — Karṇa’s Bhārgavāstra and the Search for Yudhiṣṭhira
Chapter 45
रक्षमाणै: सुसंरब्धै: पुत्रै: शस्त्रभृतां वर: । वाहिनीं प्रमुखे वीर: सम्प्रकर्षज्रशो भत
rakṣamāṇaiḥ susaṃrabdhaiḥ putraiḥ śastrabhṛtāṃ varaḥ | vāhinīṃ pramukhe vīraḥ samprakārṣaj jraśo bhata
Sañjaya dijo: Custodiado por sus hijos, encendidos de furia y empeñados en protegerlo, aquel héroe—el más excelso entre los portadores de armas—empujó al ejército hacia delante desde la misma vanguardia, apremiando la línea de batalla con ímpetu arrollador.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights kṣatriya-dharma in practice: leaders advance at the front, accepting danger first, while family and followers fulfill their duty by protecting and supporting. It frames martial action as structured by obligation—protection, courage, and responsibility—rather than mere aggression.
Sañjaya describes a heroic commander moving at the head of the formation, driving the army forward. His sons, intensely roused, surround him as protectors, enabling his aggressive push into the front of the battle.