Shloka 9
Abhimanyunidhana-prakāśaḥ — Vasudeva–Kṛṣṇa–Subhadrā–Kuntī śoka-saṃvāda
Disclosure and Consolation
शिखण्डी पाण्डुपुत्राणां नेता सप्तचमूपति: । बभूव रक्षितो धीमान् श्रीमता सव्यसाचिना
śikhaṇḍī pāṇḍuputrāṇāṁ netā saptacamūpatiḥ | babhūva rakṣito dhīmān śrīmatā savyasācinā ||
婆苏提婆说道：“尸建陀为般度诸子之统帅，领七军阵（akṣauhiṇī）。此智勇之士，常得光耀的萨维亚萨钦（阿周那）护持。”就伦理而言，此颂彰显正义之师中纪律之领导与护卫之责：统御必与担当相连，强力亦须由审慎的守护所引导。
वासुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
Leadership in dharmic warfare is not merely rank but responsibility: the commander must be supported and safeguarded so that the larger cause is served effectively. The verse also underscores the ethic of protection—Arjuna’s guardianship of Śikhaṇḍī reflects disciplined cooperation and strategic duty rather than isolated heroism.
Vāsudeva describes the Pāṇḍava war-organization: Śikhaṇḍī is presented as a leading commander over the seven army-divisions, while Arjuna (Savyasācin) specifically protects him—indicating coordinated roles on the battlefield and the importance of shielding a key figure in the campaign.