Shloka 16
Bhīmasena–Drauṇi Mahāyuddha
Chariot Duel and Astra-Exchange
द्रोणपुत्रस्तु शिरसि ग्रीवायां सर्वसोदरा: । मध्ये दुर्योधनो राजा बलेन महता वृतः
droṇaputrastu śirasi grīvāyāṃ sarvasodarāḥ | madhye duryodhano rājā balena mahatā vṛtaḥ ||
サンジャヤは言った。「陣形の“頭”の位にはドローナの子アシュヴァッターマンが立ち、“首”の位にはドゥルヨーダナの兄弟たちがことごとく配置された。中央には王ドゥルヨーダナが、巨大な軍勢に囲まれ守られて立つ—まるで身体をかたどる戦陣のごとく、力は防護として組み上げられているが、それを駆り立てるのはダルマではなく、支配への意志であった。」
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how war leadership often relies on strategic placement and sheer protection by force; ethically, it contrasts external strength and guarded power with the Mahābhārata’s larger insistence that true stability comes from dharma rather than mere military arrangement.
Sañjaya describes a body-like troop arrangement: Aśvatthāmā is placed at the ‘head,’ Duryodhana’s brothers at the ‘neck,’ and Duryodhana himself stands in the ‘middle,’ heavily surrounded by a large force for protection.