Chapter 19: Prativyūha of the Pāṇḍavas — Vajra (Acala) Formation and Dawn Omens
धृष्टय्युम्नश्ष पाञ्चाल्यस्तेषां गोप्ता महारथ: । सहित: पृतनाशूरै रथमुख्यै: प्रभद्रकै:
dhṛṣṭadyumnaś ca pāñcālyas teṣāṃ goptā mahārathaḥ | sahitaḥ pṛtanāśūrai rathamukhyaiḥ prabhadrakaiḥ ||
Pangeran Pāñcāla, Dhṛṣṭadyumna sang mahāratha, menjadi pelindung mereka; ia menjaga mereka bersama para pahlawan pilihan dan kusir-ksatria terkemuka yang disebut Prabhadraka.
संजय उवाच
Even in warfare, dharma expresses itself as responsibility: a commander’s role is not merely to attack but to protect and organize those under his charge. Dhṛṣṭadyumna is portrayed as a guardian-leader, embodying disciplined stewardship amid violence.
Sañjaya describes the Pāṇḍava-side formation and its defenders: Dhṛṣṭadyumna, the Pāñcāla prince and a mahāratha, is stationed as the protector, supported by chosen army-heroes and the foremost chariot-warriors called the Prabhadrakas.