Shloka 30
कर्णस्य सेनापत्याभिषेकः | Karṇa’s Consecration as Commander-in-Chief
धृष्टकेतुर्महाराज चेदीनां प्रवरो रथ:
dhṛṣṭaketūr mahārāja cedīnāṁ pravaro rathaḥ
三阇耶说道：“大王啊，持坚（Dhṛṣṭaketu）——切地诸勇士之首——乃卓绝的战车武士（ratha）。”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse primarily serves a narrative-ethical function: in war, identity is framed through lineage, allegiance, and recognized martial rank. By calling Dhṛṣṭaketu the foremost among the Cedis and a ratha-warrior, the text highlights the Kṣatriya ideal of acknowledged prowess and responsibility within one’s community.
Sañjaya is reporting to Dhṛtarāṣṭra the notable fighters on the battlefield. Here he identifies Dhṛṣṭaketu as an eminent Cedi chariot-warrior, as part of the ongoing enumeration/description of combatants in the Karṇa Parva context.