Shloka 48
शैनेयचरितम्
The Exploits of Śaineya/Sātyaki amid Encirclement
सैन्धव: पृष्ठतस्त्वासीत् सर्वसैन्यस्य भारत । रक्षित: परमेष्वासै: कृपप्रभृतिभी रथै:
saindhavaḥ pṛṣṭhatas tv āsīt sarvasainyasya bhārata | rakṣitaḥ parameṣvāsaiḥ kṛpaprabhṛtibhir rathaiḥ ||
Sañjaya said: O Bhārata, the Saindhava was positioned at the rear of the entire army, protected by the foremost bowmen—warriors in chariots led by Kṛpa. The line underscores a deliberate war-strategy: shielding a key fighter with elite guardians, where collective duty to one’s side is pursued through disciplined formation and protection.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights disciplined collective duty in war: a valuable or vulnerable figure is safeguarded by the most capable protectors. Ethically, it reflects how responsibility is shared—leaders and elite warriors are expected to shield those placed under their charge, even amid chaos.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Jayadratha (the Saindhava) is stationed at the rear of the Kaurava host and is being guarded by top chariot-archers, prominently Kṛpa, indicating a protective formation around him.