Shloka 16
धृतराष्ट्र-संजय-संवादः — सैन्यप्रशंसा, भेदनवृत्तान्त-प्रश्नः
Dhṛtarāṣṭra–Sañjaya Dialogue: Praise of the Host and Inquiry after the Breach
एवमुक्तः समाश्वस्त: सिन्धुराजो जयद्रथः । सम्प्रायात् सह गान्धारैरवृतस्तैश्व महारथै:
evam uktaḥ samāśvastaḥ sindhurājo jayadrathaḥ | samprāyāt saha gāndhārair āvṛtas taiś ca mahārathaiḥ ||
Sañjaya said: Thus addressed and reassured, Jayadratha, the king of Sindhu, set out for battle together with the Gāndhāras, protected and surrounded by those great chariot-warriors. The verse underscores how counsel and encouragement can steady a wavering mind, yet in the moral atmosphere of the war it also shows how renewed confidence, when backed by powerful allies, can propel one toward further violence and fateful consequences.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Words of counsel can restore resolve and remove fear, but renewed confidence must be guided by dharma; otherwise, encouragement and strong support may simply enable harmful action and deepen one’s karmic entanglement.
After being spoken to and reassured, Jayadratha, king of Sindhu, advances again in the battle, accompanied by the Gāndhāras and guarded by powerful mahārathas.