Shloka 22
भीमसेन–कर्णयुद्धवर्णनम्
Description of the Bhīmasena–Karṇa Engagement
ततो दुर्योधनो5ष्टौ च राजानस्ते महारथा: । जयद्रथस्य रक्षार्थ पाण्डवं पर्यवारयन्,तदनन्तर दुर्योधन तथा आठ महारथी नरेशोंने जयद्रथकी रक्षाके लिये अर्जुनको घेर लिया
tato duryodhano 'ṣṭau ca rājānas te mahārathāḥ | jayadrathasya rakṣārthaṃ pāṇḍavaṃ paryavārayan |
Sañjaya dit : Alors Duryodhana, avec huit rois, grands combattants de chars, encercla le Pāṇḍava (Arjuna) afin de protéger Jayadratha.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the wartime ethic of loyalty and protection of one’s ally: leaders marshal collective strength to defend a strategically important person. It also points to how dharma becomes contested in battle—duty to one’s side can intensify violence and escalate consequences.
Duryodhana and eight powerful kings form a protective ring around Jayadratha by surrounding Arjuna, aiming to prevent Arjuna from reaching or striking Jayadratha. This is part of the larger effort to thwart Arjuna’s vow-driven pursuit.