Shloka 20
द्रोणपर्व (अध्याय ११२) — कर्णभीमयोर्युद्धम्, दुर्योधनस्य रक्षणादेशः
Droṇa-parva 112: Karṇa–Bhīma Engagement and Duryodhana’s Protective Order
एवमुक््त्वा ततो राजा सर्वसैन्येन भारत । अभ्यद्रवद् रणे द्रोणं युयुधानस्य कारणात्,“भारत! ऐसा कहकर राजा युधिष्ठिरने उस समय रणक्षेत्रमें युयुधानकी रक्षाके लिये अपनी सारी सेनाके साथ द्रोणाचार्यपर आक्रमण किया
evam uktvā tato rājā sarva-sainyena bhārata | abhyadravad raṇe droṇaṃ yuyudhānasya kāraṇāt ||
Sañjaya said: “Having spoken thus, O Bhārata, the king then—bringing his entire army—charged in battle against Droṇa, prompted by the need to protect Yuyudhāna. In that moment, Yudhiṣṭhira’s resolve turns from restraint to decisive action, treating the safeguarding of a righteous ally as a duty that outweighs personal hesitation amid the violence of war.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a dharmic priority in wartime leadership: protecting a righteous ally and fulfilling one’s kṣatriya responsibility can demand swift, forceful action, even from a king otherwise inclined to restraint.
After speaking (in the preceding context), Yudhiṣṭhira advances with his full force and attacks Droṇa on the battlefield, specifically motivated by the need to safeguard Yuyudhāna (Sātyaki).