Shloka 22
Chapter 19: Prativyūha of the Pāṇḍavas — Vajra (Acala) Formation and Dawn Omens
धृष्टय्युम्नश्ष पाञ्चाल्यस्तेषां गोप्ता महारथ: । सहित: पृतनाशूरै रथमुख्यै: प्रभद्रकै:
dhṛṣṭadyumnaś ca pāñcālyas teṣāṃ goptā mahārathaḥ | sahitaḥ pṛtanāśūrai rathamukhyaiḥ prabhadrakaiḥ ||
Sañjaya berkata: Putera Pāñcāla, Dhṛṣṭadyumna, seorang maharathi, menjadi pelindung bagi pasukan-pasukan itu. Baginda mengawal mereka sambil diiringi para wira terpilih dan para kusir-penunggang kereta perang terunggul yang dikenali sebagai Prabhadraka—gambaran kepimpinan berdisiplin dan tanggungjawab di tengah kekacauan perang.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in warfare, dharma expresses itself as responsibility: a commander’s role is not merely to attack but to protect and organize those under his charge. Dhṛṣṭadyumna is portrayed as a guardian-leader, embodying disciplined stewardship amid violence.
Sañjaya describes the Pāṇḍava-side formation and its defenders: Dhṛṣṭadyumna, the Pāñcāla prince and a mahāratha, is stationed as the protector, supported by chosen army-heroes and the foremost chariot-warriors called the Prabhadrakas.