Shloka 526
वृत:ः शिखण्डी त्वरितो राजानं पृष्ठतो5न्वयात् । तदनन्तर शिखण्डी, एक सहस्र रथ, तीन सौ हाथी, पाँच हजार घोड़े तथा पांचालों और प्रभद्रकोंकी सेना साथ ले उनसे घिरा हुआ शीतघ्रतापूर्वक राजा युधिष्ठिरके पीछे-पीछे गया
vṛtaḥ śikhaṇḍī tvarito rājānaṃ pṛṣṭhato 'nvayāt | tad-anantaraṃ śikhaṇḍī eka-sahasra-rathaiḥ trī-śata-hastibhiḥ pañca-sahasra-aśvaiḥ tathā pāñcālānāṃ prabhadrakāṇāṃ ca senayā sārdhaṃ parivṛtaḥ śīghratayā rājā yudhiṣṭhiraṃ pṛṣṭhato 'nvagāt ||
Sañjaya berkata: Kemudian Śikhaṇḍī bergerak cepat, dikepung oleh pasukan besar—seribu kereta perang, tiga ratus gajah, lima ribu kuda, beserta bala tentara Pāñcāla dan Prabhadraka—lalu mengikuti rapat di belakang Raja Yudhiṣṭhira.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even amid violence and uncertainty, dharma is upheld through disciplined loyalty and the protection of rightful leadership; coordinated support of the king is portrayed as an ethical duty of allies and commanders.
Sañjaya reports that Śikhaṇḍī quickly follows behind King Yudhiṣṭhira, surrounded by a large contingent of chariots, elephants, horses, and allied troops of the Pāñcālas and Prabhadrakas, indicating a protective escort and organized movement within the battle.