Shloka 6
Droṇa-parva Adhyāya 96: Sātyaki’s Line-Penetration, Encirclement, and Advance toward Arjuna
यथा स पुरुषव्याप्रो न हन्येत जयद्रथ: । तथा विधत्स्व भद्रे ते त्वं हि न: परमा गति:,त्वरन्नेकरथेनैव समेत्य द्रोणमब्रवीत् । संजय कहते हैं--राजन्! तदनन्तर जब कुन्तीकुमार अर्जुन सिन्धुराज जयद्रथका वध करनेकी इच्छासे द्रोणाचार्य और कृतवर्माका दुस्तर सेना-व्यूह भेदन करके आपकी सेनामें प्रविष्ट हो गये और सव्यसाची अर्जुनके हाथसे जब काम्बोजराजकुमार सुदक्षिण तथा पराक्रमी श्रुतायुध मार दिये गये तथा जब सारी सेनाएँ नष्ट-भ्रष्ट होकर चारों ओर भाग खड़ी हुईं, उस समय अपनी सम्पूर्ण सेनामें भगदड़ मची देख आपका पुत्र दुर्योधन बड़ी उतावलीके साथ एकमात्र रथके द्वारा द्रोणाचार्यके पास गया और उनसे मिलकर इस प्रकार बोला--
sañjaya uvāca |
yathā sa puruṣavyāpro na hanyeta jayadrathaḥ |
tathā vidhatsva bhadre te tvaṃ hi naḥ paramā gatiḥ |
tvarann ekaratheṇaiva sametya droṇam abravīt |
Sañjaya said: “So arrange it, O noble one, that Jayadratha—that man who has become the very pivot of our cause—may not be slain. You are indeed our highest refuge.” Having thus resolved, Duryodhana, in great haste, drove alone in a single chariot to Droṇa, met him, and spoke these words—seeking protection for Jayadratha and revealing the Kauravas’ dependence on Droṇa’s command in the crisis of battle.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
In the midst of war, leaders often reveal their true dependencies: Duryodhana openly declares Droṇa as the Kauravas’ ‘highest refuge’ and urges immediate protective strategy. Ethically, the verse highlights how attachment to victory can shift focus from righteous conduct to mere preservation of a key asset (Jayadratha), intensifying the tension between duty and expediency.
After Arjuna breaks into the Kaurava formations and the battlefield falls into disorder, Duryodhana rushes alone to Droṇa and urgently requests that measures be taken so Jayadratha is not killed. This sets up the Kauravas’ defensive effort to shield Jayadratha from Arjuna’s vow-driven assault.