Shloka 20
Adhyāya 40 (Book 7, Droṇa-parva): Abhimanyu’s Rapid Advance and Battlefield Disruption
केकया धृष्टकेतुश्व मत्स्या: पज्चालसृज्जया: । पाण्डवाश्च मुदा युक्ता युधिष्ठिरपुरोगमा:
kekayā dhṛṣṭaketuś ca matsyāḥ pañcālasṛñjayāḥ | pāṇḍavāś ca mudā yuktā yudhiṣṭhirapurogamāḥ ||
केकय, धृष्टकेतु, मत्स्य, पांचाल और सृंजय तथा युधिष्ठिर के नेतृत्व में पाण्डव—सब हर्ष और उत्साह से युक्त थे॥
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in the violence of war, ethical leadership and unity among allies matter: the verse highlights collective morale and disciplined resolve under Yudhiṣṭhira’s guidance, implying that righteous direction steadies a coalition.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that multiple allied groups—Kekayas, Matsyas, Pañcālas, Sṛñjayas, and the Pāṇḍavas—are rejoicing and energized, with Yudhiṣṭhira at their head, indicating a moment of renewed confidence on the Pāṇḍava side.