Shloka 24
द्रोणपर्व (अध्याय १) — भीष्मनिधनानन्तरं धृतराष्ट्रस्य शोकः, सेनायाः स्थितिः, कर्णस्मरणं च
Droṇa Parva, Chapter 1: Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s grief after Bhīṣma’s fall and the army’s reorientation toward Karṇa
अजावय इवागोपा बने श्वापदसंकुले । भृशमुद्विग्नमनसो हीना देवव्रतेन ते,जैसे हिंसक जन्तुओंसे भरे हुए वनमें बिना रक्षककी भेड़ और बकरियाँ भयसे उद्विग्न रहती हैं, उसी प्रकार आपके पुत्र और सैनिक देवव्रतसे रहित हो मन-ही-मन अत्यन्त उद्धिग्न हो उठे थे
sañjaya uvāca | ajāvaya ivāgopā vane śvāpadasaṅkule | bhṛśam udvignamanaso hīnā devavratena te ||
サञ्जयは言った。「猛獣の満ちる森に、牧人なく取り残された羊や山羊のように、デーヴァヴラタ（ビーシュマ）を失ったそなたの子らとその軍勢は、胸の内に激しい不安を抱いた。」
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches that collective strength in crisis depends not only on numbers but on the presence of a capable, principled protector-leader. When such a figure is removed, fear spreads, judgment falters, and the vulnerable become easy prey—ethically highlighting the responsibility of guardianship and the fragility of morale.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that after Devavrata (Bhīṣma) is no longer leading/protecting them, the Kaurava side—especially Duryodhana’s party—becomes deeply unsettled. He illustrates their condition with a simile: unguarded sheep and goats in a predator-filled forest.