Shloka 7
Droṇācāryaḥ Senāpatiḥ
Droṇa Appointed Commander-in-Chief
तस्मिन्नसुकरं कर्म कृतवत्यास्थिते दिवम् । क॑ नु सेनाप्रणेतारं मन्यसे तदनन्तरम्,वे तो अत्यन्त दुष्कर कर्म करके अब स्वर्गलोकके पथपर आरूढ़ हो गये हैं। ऐसी दशामें उनके बाद तुम किसे सेनापति बनाये जानेयोग्य मानते हो?
tasminn asukaraṁ karma kṛtavaty āsthite divam | kaṁ nu senāpraṇetāraṁ manyase tad-anantaram ||
Since he has accomplished that exceedingly difficult deed and has now departed to heaven, whom do you judge fit to be appointed as the commander of the army after him? Duryodhana’s question carries both urgency and moral pressure: the war’s leadership must continue immediately, yet the choice of a successor also signals whose judgment and authority will guide the Kaurava cause after the fall of a foremost warrior.
दुर्योधन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the crisis of leadership in dharmic warfare: when a principal protector falls, the community must choose a successor swiftly, but the choice also reflects values—competence, authority, and responsibility for the consequences of continued violence.
Duryodhana, facing the loss of a key warrior who has ‘gone to heaven’ after performing a formidable deed, turns to his advisor/elder and asks whom to appoint next as commander of the Kaurava army, signaling an urgent transition in command.