Shloka 34
अध्याय ६० — कर्णस्य पाञ्चाल-सोमक-निग्रहः
Karna’s Suppression of the Panchala–Somaka Forces
ततः सरथनागाश्चा: पञ्चाला: पाण्डुपूर्वज । सेनापतिं परीप्सन्तो रुरुधुस्तनयं तव,पाण्डुके ज्येष्ठ भ्राता राजन्! तब सेनापति धृष्टद्युम्नकी रक्षाके लिये रथों, हाथियों और घोड़ोंसहित पांचालोंने आपके पुत्रको चारों ओरसे घेर लिया
tataḥ sa-ratha-nāgāś ca pāñcālāḥ pāṇḍu-pūrvaja | senāpatiṃ parīpsanto rurudhustanayaṃ tava || pāṇḍuke jyeṣṭha bhrātā rājan tab senāpati dhṛṣṭadyumnakī rakṣāke liye rathoṃ hāthiyoṃ aur ghōṛoṃ-sahit pāñcāloṃne āpke putrako cāroṃ orse gher liyā ||
Sañjaya berkata: Kemudian orang-orang Pāñcāla—disokong oleh kereta perang, gajah dan pasukan berkuda—mengepung putera tuanku, wahai Raja, abang sulung Pāṇḍu. Dengan hasrat menangkap panglima, mereka mengurungnya dari segala arah, demi melindungi jeneral mereka sendiri, Dhṛṣṭadyumna.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a wartime ethic and strategy: armies prioritize the safety of their own commander while attempting to neutralize the enemy’s leadership. It reflects how loyalty and command-structure become decisive moral and practical concerns in kṣatriya warfare.
Sañjaya reports that the Pāñcālas, with chariots, elephants, and cavalry, surround Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s son from all sides. Their aim is to seize the opposing commander while ensuring the protection of their own general, Dhṛṣṭadyumna.