Chapter 51: Saṃdhyākāla-saṃhāra
Evening Withdrawal after Arjuna’s Counter-Advance
ततो दश महेष्वासा: पाण्डवानां महारथा: | रक्षार्थम भ्यधावन्त सौभद्रं त्वरिता रथै:,राजन! तब पुत्रसहित विराट, द्रुपदकुमार धृष्टद्युम्मन, भीमसेन, पाँचों भाई केकयराजकुमार तथा सात्यकि-ये पाण्डव-पक्षके महान् धनुर्धर दस महारथी अभिमन्युकी रक्षाके लिये रथोंद्वारा तुरंत वहाँ दौड़े आये
tato daśa maheṣvāsāḥ pāṇḍavānāṁ mahārathāḥ | rakṣārtham abhyadhāvanta saubhadraṁ tvaritā rathaiḥ, rājan |
サンジャヤは言った。「そのとき、パーンダヴァ方の大弓手十名—いずれも大車戦士(マハーラタ)—が、王よ、サウバドラ(アビマンニュ)を守るため、戦車を駆ってたちまち馳せ集まった。この場面はクシャトリヤの武人の掟を示す。すなわち自軍への忠節、危地にある味方を即座に護ること、そして戦場での連携である。」
संजय उवाच
The verse underscores kṣatriya-dharma in practice: when an ally is endangered, righteous conduct demands swift, united protection. It also reflects the ethical ideal of solidarity—placing the safety of one’s comrade above hesitation or personal risk.
In the battle account narrated by Sañjaya to Dhṛtarāṣṭra, ten elite Pāṇḍava-side chariot-warriors rapidly drive toward Abhimanyu (Saubhadra) to guard him, indicating an urgent tactical response to a threat against him.