Shloka 24
Adhyāya 10: Śrutakarmā’s Engagements; Prativindhya–Citra Duel; Drauṇi Advances toward Bhīma
भीष्मद्रोणावतिरथौ हतौ सेनापती मम । सेनापतिर्भवानस्तु ताभ्यां द्रविणवत्तर:
sañjaya uvāca |
bhīṣma-droṇāv atirathau hataū senāpatī mama |
senāpatir bhavān astu tābhyāṃ draviṇavattaraḥ ||
میرے دو سپہ سالار—پیتامہ بھیشم اور آچاریہ درون، جو اعلیٰ درجے کے مہارথ تھے—جنگ میں مارے جا چکے ہیں۔ اس لیے اب تم ہی میرے لشکر کے سپہ سالار بنو؛ کیونکہ تم اُن دونوں سے بھی زیادہ زورآور ہو۔
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights wartime dharma as understood in the epic: when leaders fall, responsibility must be transferred without delay to preserve order and effectiveness. It also shows how authority is justified through perceived merit—strength, capability, and resources—rather than sentiment alone.
After the deaths of Bhīṣma and Droṇa, the Kauravas face a leadership vacuum. Sañjaya reports the decision that a new commander must be appointed, praising the next leader as surpassing the previous two in martial power, thereby legitimizing the succession in the midst of crisis.