Shloka 24
वासवी-शक्तेः प्रयोगः, घटोत्कच-वधोत्तर-शोकः, व्यासोपदेशश्च
The Vāsavī Spear’s Use, Post-Ghaṭotkaca Grief, and Vyāsa’s Counsel
साग्रं शतसहस्र॑ तु हयानां तस्य धीमत: । सोमदत्तं महेष्वासं समन्तात् पर्यरक्षत,बुद्धिमान शकुनिके एक लाखसे अधिक घुड़सवार महाधनुर्धर सोमदत्तकी सब ओरसे रक्षा करने लगे
sāgraṁ śata-sahasraṁ tu hayānāṁ tasya dhīmataḥ | somadattaṁ maheṣvāsaṁ samantāt paryarakṣata | buddhimān śakunike eka-lākha-se adhika ghuṛasavāra mahā-dhanurdhara somadatta-kī saba orase rakṣā karane lage |
サンジャヤは言った。「その賢明なる将の指揮のもと、十万を超える騎兵が四方より守りの輪を結び、大弓の士ソーマダッタを取り巻いて護った。戦の道義的な空気の中で、この一句は、策と忠誠とが—いずれの陣営に属そうとも—乱戦のただ中で要の武人を保全するために用いられることを示している。」
सयजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in a destructive conflict, the epic highlights the power of organized duty and loyalty: warriors coordinate to protect a valued fighter, showing how intelligence and collective discipline shape outcomes—though such virtues can serve either righteous or unrighteous causes depending on alignment with dharma.
Sañjaya reports that a cavalry force numbering over one hundred thousand forms a surrounding guard to shield Somadatta, the renowned archer, indicating a deliberate tactical effort to preserve him amid the fighting.