Shloka 63
Kṛṣṇa-vīrya-kathana
Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s appraisal of Vāsudeva’s deeds
उत्सज् इव संवृद्ध द्रुपदस्यास्त्रवित्तमम् | शैखण्डिनं शस्त्रगुप्तं के च द्रोणादवारयन्,जो ट्रपटकी गोदमें पला हुआ था और शश्त्रोंद्वारा सुरक्षित था, अस्त्रवेत्ताओंमें श्रेष्ठ उस शिखण्डीपुत्रको द्रोणाचार्यके पास आनेसे किन वीरोंने रोका?
utsajya iva saṁvṛddhaṁ drupadasyāstravittamam | śikhaṇḍinaṁ śastraguptaṁ ke ca droṇād avārayan ||
Waiśampāyana berkata: “Śikhaṇḍin—seakan dibesarkan di pangkuan Drupada, terlindung oleh senjata, dan terunggul di antara para ahli ilmu persenjataan—prajurit manakah yang menahannya agar tidak mendekati Droṇācārya?”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical tension in war: even a highly trained and well-protected warrior becomes subject to collective restraint and tactical countermeasures. It underscores that martial excellence (astra-knowledge) operates within the larger framework of duty, alliances, and battlefield strategy.
Vaiśampāyana describes Śikhaṇḍin—nurtured under Drupada’s protection and renowned in weapon-lore—moving toward Droṇa, and asks which warriors prevented or checked Śikhaṇḍin from reaching Droṇācārya.