Shloka 7
Droṇācāryaḥ Senāpatiḥ
Droṇa Appointed Commander-in-Chief
तस्मिन्नसुकरं कर्म कृतवत्यास्थिते दिवम् । क॑ नु सेनाप्रणेतारं मन्यसे तदनन्तरम्,वे तो अत्यन्त दुष्कर कर्म करके अब स्वर्गलोकके पथपर आरूढ़ हो गये हैं। ऐसी दशामें उनके बाद तुम किसे सेनापति बनाये जानेयोग्य मानते हो?
tasminn asukaraṁ karma kṛtavaty āsthite divam | kaṁ nu senāpraṇetāraṁ manyase tad-anantaram ||
Puisqu’il a accompli cet acte d’une difficulté extrême et qu’il est désormais parti pour le ciel, qui juges-tu digne d’être nommé commandant de l’armée après lui ?
दुर्योधन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the crisis of leadership in dharmic warfare: when a principal protector falls, the community must choose a successor swiftly, but the choice also reflects values—competence, authority, and responsibility for the consequences of continued violence.
Duryodhana, facing the loss of a key warrior who has ‘gone to heaven’ after performing a formidable deed, turns to his advisor/elder and asks whom to appoint next as commander of the Kaurava army, signaling an urgent transition in command.