Shloka 12
द्रोणानीकाभिमुखगमनम्
Abhimanyu advances toward Droṇa’s host
अशक्यं तु तमन्येन द्रोणं मत्वा युधिष्ठिर: । अविषटहां गुरु भारं सौभद्रं समवासृजत्,इस समय द्रोणाचार्यका सामना करना दूसरेके लिये असम्भव जानकर युधिष्ठिरने वह दुःसह एवं महान् भार सुभद्राकुमार अभिमन्युपर रख दिया
aśakyaṃ tu tam anyena droṇaṃ matvā yudhiṣṭhiraḥ | aviṣaṭahāṃ guru-bhāraṃ saubhadraṃ samavāsṛjat ||
Mengetahui bahwa menghadapi Droṇa mustahil bagi siapa pun selain dia, Yudhiṣṭhira menimpakan beban yang berat dan nyaris tak tertanggungkan itu kepada Saubhadra (Abhimanyu).
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical tension of kṣatriya-dharma in war: when a formidable adversary cannot be checked by ordinary means, a leader may be compelled to entrust a severe duty to the most capable warrior. It invites reflection on responsibility—both the leader’s decision and the warrior’s acceptance of a perilous charge.
Sañjaya narrates that Yudhiṣṭhira, recognizing Droṇa’s near-unassailable strength, assigns the daunting task of facing him to Saubhadra—Abhimanyu—thereby placing a great and difficult burden upon the young hero.