Shloka 223
यदि त्वं न भवेस्त्राता प्रतीयात् को नु मानव: । “यदि तुम रक्षक न होते तो व्यूहाकारमें खड़ी हुई धृतराष्ट्रपुत्रोंकी प्रचण्ड एवं विशाल सेनाको सामने देखकर कौन मनुष्य उसपर चढ़ाई कर सकता था?
yadi tvaṁ na bhaves trātā pratīyāt ko nu mānavaḥ |
यदि त्वं न भवेस्त्राता प्रतीयात् को नु मानवः । धृतराष्ट्रसुतानां व्यूहाकारस्थितां प्रचण्डां विशालां च सेनां दृष्ट्वा कः पुरुषस्तामभ्यधावेत् ॥
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical and practical power of protective leadership: when a trusted defender stands as a refuge, ordinary people find the courage to act even against overwhelming odds; without such support, fear and hesitation prevail.
Sanjaya emphasizes to his listener that the Kaurava forces were formidable and arranged in a battle formation; he argues that an assault on such a host would be unthinkable unless someone served as a strong protector and rallying presence.