Shloka 16
Bhīmasena–Drauṇi Mahāyuddha
Chariot Duel and Astra-Exchange
द्रोणपुत्रस्तु शिरसि ग्रीवायां सर्वसोदरा: । मध्ये दुर्योधनो राजा बलेन महता वृतः,शीर्षस्थानमें द्रोणकुमार अश्वत्थामा और ग्रीवा-भागमें दुर्योधनके समस्त भाई स्थित हुए। मध्यस्थान (कटिप्रदेश)-में विशाल सेनासे घिरा हुआ राजा दुर्योधन खड़ा हुआ
droṇaputrastu śirasi grīvāyāṃ sarvasodarāḥ | madhye duryodhano rājā balena mahatā vṛtaḥ ||
Sañjaya said: At the head-position stood Droṇa’s son (Aśvatthāmā), and at the neck-position were stationed all of Duryodhana’s brothers. In the middle, King Duryodhana stood, surrounded and protected by a vast force—an image of a body-like battle formation where power is arranged as defense, yet driven by the will to dominate rather than by dharma.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how war leadership often relies on strategic placement and sheer protection by force; ethically, it contrasts external strength and guarded power with the Mahābhārata’s larger insistence that true stability comes from dharma rather than mere military arrangement.
Sañjaya describes a body-like troop arrangement: Aśvatthāmā is placed at the ‘head,’ Duryodhana’s brothers at the ‘neck,’ and Duryodhana himself stands in the ‘middle,’ heavily surrounded by a large force for protection.