Shloka 26
Adhyāya 16: Saṃśaptaka-vrata and the Diversion of Arjuna (द्रोणपर्व, अध्याय १६)
स मध्यं प्राप्य सैन्यानां सर्वाः प्रविचरन् दिश: । तव सैन्यस्य गोप्ता5डसीद् भारद्वाजो द्विजर्षभ:,राजन! भरद्वाजनन्दन विप्रवर द्रोणाचार्य आपकी सेनाके संरक्षक थे। वे पाण्डव- सेनाके बीचमें घुसकर सम्पूर्ण दिशाओंमें विचरने लगे
sa madhyaṁ prāpya sainyānāṁ sarvāḥ pravicaran diśaḥ | tava sainyasya goptā āsīd bhāradvājo dvijarṣabhaḥ ||
サンジャヤは言った。諸軍のただ中へと突入すると、彼はあらゆる方角へ縦横に駆け巡った。王よ、バラドヴァージャの裔にして婆羅門の最勝者ドローナーチャールヤこそ、あなたの軍勢の守護者であった。戦の混乱の中、彼はパーンダヴァ軍の内に身を置きつつ、クル族（カウラヴァ）の大義を護る者として動き回った。
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the wartime ideal of guardianship and duty: a commander must actively protect his side, even by entering danger and moving decisively through confusion. It frames Droṇa’s role as goptā—one who bears responsibility for the safety and success of the host entrusted to him.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Droṇa has pushed into the center of the opposing forces and is ranging in all directions on the battlefield. He emphasizes that Droṇa, the Bharadvāja-born Brahmin-warrior, is acting as the chief protector of the Kaurava army while operating amid the Pāṇḍava troops.