Shloka 23
कर्णस्य सेनापत्यं, माकरव्यूहः, पाण्डवानामर्धचन्द्रव्यूहः
Karna’s Command; Mākara Formation; Pandava Crescent Counter-Array
एतैश्न मुख्यैरपरैश्न राजन् योधप्रवीरैरमितप्रभावै: । व्यवस्थितो नागकुलस्य मध्ये यथा महेन्द्र: कुराराजो जयाय,राजन्! इनसे तथा अन्य अनन्त प्रभावशाली श्रेष्ठ एवं प्रधान योद्धाओंसे घिरा हुआ कुरुराज दुर्योधन हाथियोंके समूहमें देवराज इन्द्रके समान विजयके लिये खड़ा है
etaiś ca mukhyair aparaiś ca rājan yodha-pravīrair amita-prabhāvaiḥ | vyavasthito nāga-kulasya madhye yathā mahendraḥ kururājo jayāya, rājan ||
Sañjaya said: “O King, surrounded by these foremost heroes and by other warrior-champions of immeasurable might, the Kuru king Duryodhana stands poised for victory—like Mahendra (Indra) stationed amid a herd of elephants.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how power and confidence in war are amplified by strong allies and disciplined positioning; it also subtly warns that outward majesty—likened to Indra—does not by itself guarantee righteousness, only the drive for victory.
Sañjaya reports to King Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Duryodhana, surrounded by leading and other mighty warriors, stands firmly arranged for battle, appearing formidable like Indra amid a herd of elephants.