Shloka 12
अशक्यं तु तमन्येन द्रोणं मत्वा युधिष्ठिर: । अविषटहां गुरु भारं सौभद्रं समवासृजत्,इस समय द्रोणाचार्यका सामना करना दूसरेके लिये असम्भव जानकर युधिष्ठिरने वह दुःसह एवं महान् भार सुभद्राकुमार अभिमन्युपर रख दिया
aśakyaṃ tu tam anyena droṇaṃ matvā yudhiṣṭhiraḥ | aviṣaṭahāṃ guru-bhāraṃ saubhadraṃ samavāsṛjat ||
Sañjaya said: Knowing that confronting Droṇa was impossible for anyone else, Yudhiṣṭhira placed that unbearable and weighty responsibility upon Saubhadra (Abhimanyu). The moment underscores the grim ethics of war: when duty demands resistance, leaders may be driven to entrust perilous tasks to the most capable—even when the burden is crushing.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical tension of kṣatriya-dharma in war: when a formidable adversary cannot be checked by ordinary means, a leader may be compelled to entrust a severe duty to the most capable warrior. It invites reflection on responsibility—both the leader’s decision and the warrior’s acceptance of a perilous charge.
Sañjaya narrates that Yudhiṣṭhira, recognizing Droṇa’s near-unassailable strength, assigns the daunting task of facing him to Saubhadra—Abhimanyu—thereby placing a great and difficult burden upon the young hero.