Shloka 12
Droṇasya raudra-prayogaḥ
Droṇa’s intensified assault and the Pāṇḍava response
प्रपक्ष: शकुनिस्तेषां प्रवरैर्हपसादिभि: । ययौ गान्धारकै: सार्थ विमलप्रासयोधिभि:,गान्धार देशके प्रधान-प्रधान घुड़सवारोंके साथ, जो चमकीले प्रासोंद्वारा युद्ध करनेवाले थे, गान्धारराज शकुनि उन दक्षिण पार्श्वके योद्धाओंका प्रपक्ष (सहायक) बनकर चला
prapakṣaḥ śakunis teṣāṃ pravarair hapsādibhiḥ | yayau gāndhārakaiḥ sārthaṃ vimalaprāsayodhibhiḥ ||
सञ्जय उवाच—तेषां प्रपक्षः शकुनिः, गान्धारकैः सार्धं प्रवरैर्हपसादिभिः, विमलप्रासयोधिभिः सह ययौ; गान्धारराजः स दक्षिणपार्श्वं बलयितुं तत्र न्यविशत्।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how war operates through calculated support and positioning (prapakṣa)—alliances and tactical reinforcement of a flank—showing that outcomes often hinge on strategy and collective force, not merely personal valor.
Sañjaya reports that Shakuni, king of Gandhāra, advances with Gandhāra troops—elite warriors such as Hapsa and others—armed with shining spears, taking the role of a supporting wing for that side’s formation.