Shloka 11
Adhyāya 16: Saṃśaptaka-vrata and the Diversion of Arjuna (द्रोणपर्व, अध्याय १६)
तान् पाण्डवा: प्रत्यगृह्लंस्त्वरिता: पुत्रगृद्धिन: । पज्चाला: केकया मत्स्या: सृज्जयाश्रोद्यतायुआ:,तब पुत्रोंकी प्राणरक्षा चाहनेवाले पाण्डवोंने तुरंत आकर उन कौरव महारथियोंको रोका। पाण्डवोंके साथ पांचाल, केकय, मत्स्य और सूंजयदेशीय योद्धा भी अस्त्र-शस्त्र लिये उपस्थित थे
tān pāṇḍavāḥ pratyagṛhṇan tvaritāḥ putragṛddhinaḥ | pāñcālāḥ kekayā matsyāḥ sṛñjayāś codyatāyudhāḥ ||
Sañjaya said: Eager to protect their sons’ lives, the Pāṇḍavas swiftly came forward and checked those Kaurava great chariot-warriors. Along with the Pāṇḍavas stood the Pāñcālas, Kekayas, Matsyas, and the Sṛñjayas, all with weapons raised and ready for battle.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even amid war, motivation matters: the verse highlights protective responsibility toward one’s dependents (here, sons) and the disciplined resolve to act swiftly in defense, supported by righteous alliances.
Sañjaya reports that the Pāṇḍavas quickly move to stop the advance/assault of Kaurava elite chariot-warriors, joined by allied forces—Pāñcālas, Kekayas, Matsyas, and Sṛñjayas—standing armed and ready.