द्रोणपर्व (अध्याय १) — भीष्मनिधनानन्तरं धृतराष्ट्रस्य शोकः, सेनायाः स्थितिः, कर्णस्मरणं च
Droṇa Parva, Chapter 1: Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s grief after Bhīṣma’s fall and the army’s reorientation toward Karṇa
को हि दौर्योधने सैन्ये पुमानासीन्महारथ: । य॑ं प्राप्प समरे वीरा न त्रस्यन्ति महाभये,उस महान् भयके अवसरपर दुर्योधनकी सेनामें कौन ऐसा वीर महारथी पुरुष था, जिसका आश्रय पाकर समरांगणमें वीर कौरव भयभीत नहीं हुए हैं
ko hi dauryodhane sainye pumān āsīn mahārathaḥ | yaṁ prāpya samare vīrā na trasyanti mahābhaye ||
ବୈଶମ୍ପାୟନ କହିଲେ—ଦୁର୍ଯ୍ୟୋଧନଙ୍କ ସେନାରେ ସେ କିଏ ଥିଲେ, ସେଇ ବୀର ମହାରଥୀ—ଯାହାଙ୍କ ଆଶ୍ରୟ ପାଇ ସମରଭୂମିର ମହାଭୟ ମଧ୍ୟରେ ମଧ୍ୟ କୌରବ ଯୋଦ୍ଧାମାନେ କମ୍ପିତ ହୁଅନଥିଲେ?
वैशम्पायन उवाच
The verse highlights how morale in war often depends on reliance upon a single outstanding leader (mahāratha). Ethically, it points to the power—and risk—of placing collective confidence in one figure: courage can be strengthened by capable leadership, yet such dependence also reveals the fragility of an army’s inner steadiness.
Vaiśampāyana frames a question about the Kaurava side: in Duryodhana’s forces, which great warrior served as the pillar of confidence such that, under his protection or association, the Kaurava heroes did not panic even in the most frightening moments of battle.