Shloka 40
Bhagadatta’s Advance, the Saṃśaptaka Challenge, and Arjuna’s Counterstrike (द्रोणपर्व, अध्याय २६)
स कुणज्जरस्थो रथिभि: शुशुभे सर्वतो वृत:
sa kuñjarastho rathibhiḥ śuśubhe sarvato vṛtaḥ
Sañjaya berkata: Berada di atas gajah dan dikepung dari segenap penjuru oleh para pahlawan kereta perang yang mahir, dia tampak bersinar—dilindungi oleh sahabat-sahabatnya di tengah himpitan pertempuran, suatu gambaran jelas tentang tertib ketenteraan dan kewajipan bersama dalam perang.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical dimension of warfare as understood in the epic: individual brilliance is sustained by disciplined protection and coordinated support, reflecting collective responsibility within kṣatriya-dharma.
Sañjaya describes a prominent warrior positioned on an elephant, surrounded on all sides by chariot-fighters, appearing splendid due to the protective ring of rathins amid the ongoing battle.