Shloka 17
Droṇācāryaḥ Senāpatiḥ
Droṇa Appointed Commander-in-Chief
अयं च सर्वयोधानामाचार्य: स्थविरो गुरु: । युक्त: सेनापति: कर्तु द्रोण: शस्त्रभृतां वर:,इसलिये जो इन समस्त योद्धाओंके आचार्य, वयोवृद्ध गुरु तथा शस्त्रधारियोंमें श्रेष्ठ हैं, वे आचार्य द्रोण ही इस समय सेनापति बनाये जानेके योग्य हैं
ayaṃ ca sarvayodhānām ācāryaḥ sthaviro guruḥ | yuktaḥ senāpatiṃ kartuṃ droṇaḥ śastrabhṛtāṃ varaḥ ||
And he is the preceptor of all these warriors—an aged and venerable teacher. Therefore Droṇa, the foremost among weapon-bearers, is the fitting choice to be appointed commander of the army at this time. (Karna argues from seniority, authority, and martial excellence to justify Droṇa’s leadership in the war.)
कर्ण उवाच
Educational Q&A
Karna frames military leadership as grounded in recognized authority: the commander should be one who is a proven master of arms and also worthy of obedience due to being the common ācārya and elder guru. The verse highlights how social-religious reverence (guru, sthavira) is used to legitimize command in a dharmic polity, even amid war.
In the Drona Parva, after the need arises to choose a new commander for the Kaurava forces, Karna speaks in support of Droṇa. He emphasizes Droṇa’s status as the preceptor of the warriors, his seniority, and his excellence in weaponry, concluding that Droṇa is the proper person to be made senāpati.