Shloka 9
Droṇa-parva Adhyāya 45: Saubhadra–Lakṣmaṇa-saṃyoga and Kaurava Counter-Encirclement
अथ रुक््मरथो नाम मद्रेश्वरसुतो बली | त्रस्तामाश्वासयन् सेनामत्रस्तो वाक्यमब्रवीत्,इसी समय मद्रराजका बलवान पुत्र रुक्मरथ आकर अपनी डरी हुई सेनाको आश्वासन देता हुआ निर्भय होकर बोला--
atha rukmaratho nāma madreśvarasuto balī | trastām āśvāsayan senām atrasto vākyam abravīt ||
Lalu tampil Rukmaratha yang perkasa, putra penguasa Madra. Menenangkan bala tentara yang gentar, ia berkata tanpa rasa takut—
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣatriya ideal of steadiness under pressure: a leader should dispel panic, restore morale, and act with fearlessness so that the collective can regain order and purpose in crisis.
Sañjaya reports that Rukmaratha, the powerful son of the Madra ruler, steps forward when the troops are frightened; he encourages them and begins to address them confidently.