Shloka 25
द्रौणिप्रतिज्ञा–नारायणास्त्रवर्णनम्
Drauṇi’s Vow and the Description of the Nārāyaṇāstra
सारथिस्तमपोवाह स्मरन् सारथिचेष्टितम् । तस्मिन् प्रभग्ने राजेन्द्र पजचालानां महारथे
sārathis tam apōvāha smaran sārathiceṣṭitam | tasmin prabhagne rājendra pañcālānām mahārathe ||
Sañjaya dit : Le cocher l’emmena alors hors de la mêlée, se souvenant de la conduite et des devoirs d’un aurige. Ô meilleur des rois, lorsque ce grand guerrier de char des Pañcālas eut été mis en déroute, l’aurige agit avec sang-froid, faisant passer avant tout la sauvegarde de son maître et la discipline de son art au cœur du tumulte guerrier.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in war, one must act according to one’s svadharma: the charioteer’s ethical duty is disciplined, skilled protection of his charge—knowing when to withdraw rather than pursue reckless glory.
After a Pañcāla great chariot-warrior is thrown into disarray/defeat, the charioteer remembers his proper role and promptly drives his lord away from immediate danger, effecting a tactical withdrawal.