Shloka 25
Adhyāya 10: Śrutakarmā’s Engagements; Prativindhya–Citra Duel; Drauṇi Advances toward Bhīma
वृद्धी च तौ महेष्वासौ सापेक्षौ च धनंजये । मानितौ च मया वीरौ राधेय वचनात् तव,वे दोनों महाधनुर्धर होते हुए भी बूढ़े थे और अर्जुनके प्रति उनके मनमें पक्षपात था। राधानन्दन! मैंने तुम्हारे कहनेसे ही उन दोनों वीरोंको सेनापति बनाकर सम्मानित किया था
vṛddhī ca tau maheṣvāsau sāpekṣau ca dhanañjaye | mānitau ca mayā vīrau rādheya vacanāt tava ||
Sañjaya said: “Those two great bowmen were already advanced in age, and they also showed partiality toward Dhanañjaya (Arjuna). O Rādheya, it was only at your urging that I appointed and honored those two heroes as commanders.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights ethical risk in leadership: appointing commanders under pressure and tolerating partiality can compromise fairness and strategic integrity. It also underscores accountability—Sañjaya notes that the honor and appointment were done at Karṇa’s insistence, implying shared responsibility for outcomes.
Sañjaya addresses Karṇa, explaining that two senior warriors—though formidable archers—were old and inclined toward Arjuna. He states that he nevertheless honored and installed them as commanders because Karṇa urged him to do so.