Shloka 12
राज्ञस्त्वनन्तरो राजा पाज्चाल्यो द्रुपदो5भवत् | जातरूपमयच्छत्र: सर्वैस्तैरभिरक्षित:,राजा युधिष्ठिरके पीछे पांचालराज द्रुपद चल रहे थे। उनका छत्र सोनेका बना हुआ था। वे भी समस्त सैनिकोंद्वारा सुरक्षित थे
rājñas tv anantaro rājā pāñcālyo drupado 'bhavat | jātarūpamaya-cchatraḥ sarvais tair abhirakṣitaḥ ||
Sañjaya said: Close behind King Yudhiṣṭhira came King Drupada of the Pāñcālas. Over him was held a parasol fashioned of gold, and he too moved forward under the protection of all those troops—an image of royal dignity upheld by collective martial guardianship amid the ordered advance of war.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the dharmic ideal of kingship in wartime: royal authority is symbolized by insignia like the parasol, yet it is sustained by collective responsibility—protection and disciplined support from one’s forces and allies.
Sañjaya describes the marching order of the Pāṇḍava side: immediately behind King Yudhiṣṭhira proceeds Drupada, the Pāñcāla king, honored with a golden parasol and guarded by surrounding troops.