Shloka 196
अस्त्रयुद्धे द्रौणिपार्थसंघर्षः — Karṇa’s Bhārgavāstra and the Search for Yudhiṣṭhira
Chapter 45
दुःशासनो वृत: सैन्यै: स्थितो व्यूहस्य पृष्ठत: । व्यूहके पृष्ठभागमें पिंगल नेत्रोंवाला प्रियदर्शन दुःशासन सेनाओंसे घिरा हुआ खड़ा था। वह एक विशाल गजराजकी पीठपर विराजमान था
sañjaya uvāca |
duḥśāsano vṛtaḥ sainyaiḥ sthito vyūhasya pṛṣṭhataḥ |
Sañjaya disse: Duhśāsana, cercado por tropas, estava na retaguarda da formação de batalha. Postado atrás do arranjo, era protegido por suas forças e se assentava sobre o dorso de um enorme elefante de guerra.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how war operates through disciplined formations and protective encirclement; ethically, it underscores that courage and loyalty can be deployed in service of a side whose conduct is questioned, reminding readers that strategy is morally neutral while its purpose is not.
Sanjaya reports Duhshasana’s tactical placement: he is stationed behind the main battle-array and is surrounded by supporting troops, indicating a guarded rear position within the Kaurava formation.