Shloka 51
शैनेयचरितम्
The Exploits of Śaineya/Sātyaki amid Encirclement
नीतिमन्तो महेष्वासा: सर्वे युद्धविशारदा: । सैन्धवस्य विधायैवं रक्षां युयुधिरे ततः,भूरिश्रवा आदि वीर उसके पृष्ठ भागकी रक्षा करते थे। कृप, वृषसेन, शल और दुर्जय वीर शल्य--ये सभी नीतिज्ञ, महान् धनुर्धर एवं युद्धकुशल थे और इस प्रकार सिंधुराजकी रक्षाका प्रबन्ध करके वहाँ युद्ध कर रहे थे
sañjaya uvāca |
nītimanto maheṣvāsāḥ sarve yuddhaviśāradāḥ |
saindhavasya vidhāyaivaṁ rakṣāṁ yuyudhire tataḥ ||
Sañjaya said: All of them—men of sound counsel, mighty archers, and thoroughly skilled in war—having thus arranged a protective guard for the king of Sindhu (Jayadratha), then engaged in battle. The verse underscores the deliberate, strategic organization of protection around a key ally, presenting warfare here as disciplined coordination guided by policy and judgment rather than mere impulse.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights nīti—disciplined judgment and strategic prudence—in the conduct of war: capable warriors do not act randomly but organize protection for a crucial figure (Jayadratha) and then fight with coordinated purpose.
Sañjaya reports that expert archers, described as prudent and battle-skilled, have formed a defensive arrangement around Saindhava (Jayadratha) and, after establishing his guard, are actively fighting on the battlefield.