Shloka 23
Somadatta–Sātyaki Engagement; Bhīma’s Interventions; Droṇa–Yudhiṣṭhira Astra Exchange
Book 7, Chapter 132
यत्र ते परमेष्वासा यत्ता रक्षन्ति सैन्धवम् | तत्र गच्छ स्वयं शीघ्र तांश्व रक्षत्व रक्षिण:,राजन! जहाँ वे महाधनुर्धर योद्धा सावधान होकर सिंधुराजकी रक्षा करने लगे हैं, वहीं तुम स्वयं ही शीघ्र चले जाओ और सिंधुराजके उन रक्षकोंकी रक्षा करो
yatra te parameṣv-āsā yattā rakṣanti saindhavam | tatra gaccha svayaṃ śīghra tāṃś ca rakṣatva rakṣiṇaḥ ||
Drona said: “Where your foremost archers, fully alert, are guarding Saindhava, go there yourself at once. Hurry, and protect those very protectors of the king of Sindhu.”
द्रोण उवाच
Educational Q&A
Leadership in war includes layered responsibility: not only must a key ally be protected, but the defenders themselves must be reinforced. The verse highlights strategic dharma—timely action, personal presence, and safeguarding the chain of protection.
Droṇa directs a king/commander to rush to the position where elite archers are guarding Saindhava (Jayadratha). The instruction is to support that defensive formation by protecting the guards themselves, strengthening the security around Saindhava.