Shloka 34
अध्याय ६० — कर्णस्य पाञ्चाल-सोमक-निग्रहः
Karna’s Suppression of the Panchala–Somaka Forces
ततः सरथनागाश्चा: पञ्चाला: पाण्डुपूर्वज । सेनापतिं परीप्सन्तो रुरुधुस्तनयं तव
tataḥ sa-ratha-nāgāś ca pāñcālāḥ pāṇḍu-pūrvaja | senāpatiṃ parīpsanto rurudhustanayaṃ tava || pāṇḍuke jyeṣṭha bhrātā rājan tab senāpati dhṛṣṭadyumnakī rakṣāke liye rathoṃ hāthiyoṃ aur ghōṛoṃ-sahit pāñcāloṃne āpke putrako cāroṃ orse gher liyā ||
Sañjaya dit : Alors les Pāñcālas—soutenus par les chars, les éléphants et la cavalerie—se resserrèrent autour de ton fils, ô roi, aîné des frères de Pāṇḍu. Cherchant à s’emparer du commandant, ils l’encerclèrent de toutes parts, déterminés à protéger leur propre général, Dhṛṣṭadyumna.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a wartime ethic and strategy: armies prioritize the safety of their own commander while attempting to neutralize the enemy’s leadership. It reflects how loyalty and command-structure become decisive moral and practical concerns in kṣatriya warfare.
Sañjaya reports that the Pāñcālas, with chariots, elephants, and cavalry, surround Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s son from all sides. Their aim is to seize the opposing commander while ensuring the protection of their own general, Dhṛṣṭadyumna.