प्राग्ज्योतिषस्ततो हित्वा पाण्डवं पाण्डुपूर्वज । प्रययौ त्वरितो राजन द्रुपदस्य रथं प्रति,पाण्डुके ज्येष्ठ भ्राता महाराज! तदनन्तर प्राग्ज्योतिष-नरेश भगदत्त पाण्डुनन्दन अर्जुनको छोड़कर तुरंत ही ट्रपदके रथकी ओर चल दिये
prāgjyotiṣas tato hitvā pāṇḍavaṁ pāṇḍupūrvaja | prayayau tvarito rājan drupadasya rathaṁ prati ||
Sañjaya berkata: Wahai Raja, kemudian Bhagadatta, raja Prāgjyotiṣa, meninggalkan Pāṇḍava (Arjuna) lalu segera mara menuju kereta perang Drupada.
संजय उवाच
The verse highlights battlefield discernment and the fluidity of duty in war: a warrior may shift focus to protect or strike strategically significant figures, reflecting the harsh ethical landscape of kṣatriya conflict where outcomes depend on timely decisions.
Bhagadatta, king of Prāgjyotiṣa, disengages from Arjuna and quickly moves to attack Drupada’s chariot, indicating a tactical redirection toward another prominent leader on the Pāṇḍava side.