Shloka 21
Chapter 19: Prativyūha of the Pāṇḍavas — Vajra (Acala) Formation and Dawn Omens
चक्ररक्षौ तु भीमस्य माद्रीपुत्रौ महाद्युतौ | द्रौपदेया: ससौभद्रा: पृष्ठगोपास्तरस्विन:
sañjaya uvāca |
chakra-rakṣau tu bhīmasya mādrī-putrau mahā-dyutau |
draupadeyāḥ sa-saubhadraḥ pṛṣṭha-gopās tarasvinaḥ ||
Sañjaya berkata: Dua putera Mādrī yang bersinar—Nakula dan Sahadeva—mengawal roda kereta perang Bhīma, agar maraannya tidak terhalang atau tercemar kehormatannya. Di belakangnya, kelima-lima putera Draupadī bersama Saubhadra (Abhimanyu), para wira yang pantas menyerbu, melindungi bahagian belakang—suatu formasi teratur yang menzahirkan disiplin, dharma kewajipan, dan perlindungan saling-melindungi di tengah hiruk-pikuk perang.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in warfare, dharma is expressed through disciplined responsibility: protecting comrades, maintaining order, and acting as a coordinated unit rather than pursuing isolated glory.
Sañjaya describes Bhīma’s protective formation: Nakula and Sahadeva guard the chariot wheels (preventing immobilization or tactical vulnerability), while Draupadī’s sons and Abhimanyu secure the rear as a swift rear-guard.