Shloka 54
द्रोणविक्रमदर्शनम् / The Display of Droṇa’s Onslaught and the Debate on Pāṇḍava Regrouping
स मध्यं प्राप्य सैन्यानां सर्वा: प्रविचरन् दिश: । त्राता ह्भवदन्येषां न त्रातव्य: कथठ्चन,यद्यपि वे शत्रुसेनाके भीतर घुसकर सम्पूर्ण दिशाओंमें विचर रहे थे, तथापि वे ही दूसरोंके रक्षक थे, स्वयं किसी प्रकार किसीके रक्षणीय नहीं हुए
sa madhyaṁ prāpya sainyānāṁ sarvāḥ pravicaran diśaḥ | trātā bhavad anyeṣāṁ na trātavyaḥ kathaṁcana ||
Sañjaya said: Having penetrated into the very midst of the armies, he ranged through all directions. Though moving within the enemy host, he became the protector of others; he himself, in no way, became one who needed to be protected by anyone.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ideal of protective leadership in dharma-yuddha: a true guardian takes responsibility for others even in extreme danger, not positioning himself as someone who must be shielded, but as one who shields.
Sañjaya describes a warrior who has pushed into the center of the opposing forces and is moving freely in every direction, rescuing and safeguarding others; despite being deep inside the enemy formation, he remains unprotected by others—functioning solely as the protector.