Mahabharata 7.89.166 — Drona Parva, Adhyaya 89, Shloka 166

धृतराष्ट्र-संजय-संवादः — सैन्यप्रशंसा, भेदनवृत्तान्त-प्रश्नः

Dhṛtarāṣṭra–Sañjaya Dialogue: Praise of the Host and Inquiry after the Breach

Devanagari script

वर्मिभि: सादिभिययत्तै: प्रासपाणिभिरास्थितै: । उनके ऐसा कहनेपर सिंधुराज जयद्रथको बड़ा आश्वासन मिला। वह गान्धार महारथियोंसे घिरा हुआ युद्धके लिये चल दिया। कवचधारी घुड़सवार हाथोंमें प्रास लिये पूरी सावधानीके साथ उन्हें घेरे हुए चल रहे थे

Transliteration

varmibhiḥ sādibhir yattaiḥ prāsapāṇibhir āsthitaiḥ |

Translation

三阇耶说道：披甲的骑士警觉而据守其位，手执长矛，将他团团护住。听闻此言，信度之王阇耶陀罗大得宽慰；在健陀罗诸大车战士（mahāratha）的环卫之下，他遂出发赴战——四面皆有身披锁甲、执槊持矛的骑兵谨慎护持。

Word by Word

• वर्मिभिः: with armored (men)
• वर्मिभिः: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: वर्मिन्
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Plural

• सादिभिः: with horsemen/riders
• सादिभिः: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: सादिन्
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Plural

• यत्तैः: restrained/controlled
• यत्तैः: Karana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: यत
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Plural, past passive participle (क्त) from √यम्

• प्रासपाणिभिः: with spear-in-hand (men)
• प्रासपाणिभिः: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रासपाणि
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Plural

• आस्थितैः: stationed/posted; having taken position
• आस्थितैः: Karana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आस्थित
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Plural, past active participle (क्त) from √स्था with आ-

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sañjaya
• Jayadratha
• Sindhu (Sindhu-rājya)
• Gandhāra
• mahārathas (Gandhāra warriors)
• armour (varma)
• horsemen/cavalry (sādin)
• spears/lances (prāsa)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights the practical ethics of warfare: leadership depends not only on personal valor but also on disciplined protection, preparedness, and coordinated support. Confidence in battle is strengthened by reliable allies and vigilant safeguards.

What is happening in the narrative?

After receiving reassuring words, Jayadratha (king of Sindhu) regains confidence and advances toward battle. He is surrounded and protected by Gandhāra elite warriors, while armoured cavalry with spears maintain a careful defensive escort around him.