Shloka 21
नारायणास्त्र-शमनं द्रौणि-प्रहारश्च
Pacification of the Nārāyaṇāstra and Drauni’s Renewed Assault
शिखण्डिनं तु समरे द्रोणप्रेप्सुं विशाम्पते । कृप: शारद्वतो यत्त: प्रत्यगच्छत् सवेगित:,प्रजानाथ! द्रोणाचार्यके साथ युद्धकी इच्छावाले शिखण्डीका समरभूमिमें सामना करनेके लिये प्रयत्नशील हो शरद्वानके पुत्र कृपाचार्य बड़े वेगसे आगे बढ़े
śikhaṇḍinaṃ tu samare droṇaprepsuṃ viśāmpate | kṛpaḥ śāradvato yatnaḥ pratyagacchat savegitaḥ ||
Sañjaya said: O lord of the people, seeing Śikhaṇḍin eager to engage Droṇa in battle, Kṛpa—son of Śaradvat—strove to confront him and rushed forward with great speed. The scene underscores how, amid the chaos of war, seasoned elders take it upon themselves to meet dangerous challengers, seeking to protect their commander and uphold their side’s martial duty.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights battlefield dharma: when a formidable threat moves to strike a key leader (Droṇa), responsible warriors (here Kṛpa) step forward to intercept, prioritizing protection of their commander and fulfilling their martial obligation even amid moral complexity.
Śikhaṇḍi, intent on confronting Droṇa, advances in the battle. Kṛpācārya, identified as Śāradvata (son of Śaradvat), hastens forward to meet Śikhaṇḍi and oppose him.