Shloka 216
वासवी-शक्तेः प्रयोगः, घटोत्कच-वधोत्तर-शोकः, व्यासोपदेशश्च
The Vāsavī Spear’s Use, Post-Ghaṭotkaca Grief, and Vyāsa’s Counsel
दुर्योधन: सोमदत्तं परिवार्य समन्तत: । तदनन्तर दुर्योधन एक हजार रथों और दस हजार हाथियोंद्वारा सोमदत्तको चारों ओरसे घेरकर उनकी रक्षा करने लगा
sañjaya uvāca | duryodhanaḥ somadattaṃ parivārya samantataḥ | tadanantaraṃ duryodhana eka-sahasra-rathaiḥ daśa-sahasra-hastibhiś ca somadattaṃ caturdiśaṃ parivārya tasya rakṣāṃ kartum ārabdhavān |
Sañjaya berkata: Duryodhana mengepung Somadatta dari segala sisi. Sesudah itu ia menempatkan tirai pelindung yang besar—seribu kereta perang dan sepuluh ribu gajah—melingkarinya ke segala arah demi menjamin keselamatannya.
सयजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in warfare, a ruler’s choices reveal priorities: protecting key allies and elders can be seen as loyalty and strategic prudence, but it also highlights the heavy costs and moral weight of sustaining a violent campaign.
Sañjaya reports that Duryodhana forms a protective encirclement around Somadatta, deploying a large force of chariots and elephants to guard him from attack on all sides.