Shloka 11
Droṇācāryaḥ Senāpatiḥ
Droṇa Appointed Commander-in-Chief
स भवान् वीक्ष्य सर्वेषु मामकेषु महात्मसु । पश्य सेनापतिं युक्तमनु शान्तनवादिह,अतः तुम मेरे पक्षके सब महामनस्वी वीरोंपर दृष्टि डालकर यह देखो कि भीष्मजीके बाद अब कौन उपयुक्त सेनापति हो सकता है
sa bhavān vīkṣya sarveṣu māmakeṣu mahātmasu | paśya senāpatim yuktam anu śāntanavād iha ||
Duryodhana dit : « Aussi, après avoir passé en revue tous les héros magnanimes de mon camp, indique ici qui, après Bhīṣma, descendant de Śāntanu, est véritablement digne d’être nommé commandant de l’armée. »
दुर्योधन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in war, authority must be grounded in fitness (yogyatā): a commander should be chosen by merit, capability, and suitability to the moment, not merely by status. The verse highlights the ethical weight of leadership decisions, because the chosen senāpati will shape the conduct and consequences of the conflict.
After Bhīṣma’s fall, the Kaurava side faces a leadership vacuum. Duryodhana urges his counselor/elder to review the Kaurava heroes and identify who is most suitable to serve as the next commander-in-chief.