Shloka 15
अभिमन्युं महाराज यान्तं भीष्मरथं प्रति । सुदक्षिणो महाराज काम्बोज: प्रत्यवारयत्,महाराज! भीष्मके रथकी ओर अग्रसर होनेवाले अभिमन्युको काम्बोजराज सुदक्षिणने रोका
abhimanyuṁ mahārāja yāntaṁ bhīṣmarathaṁ prati | sudakṣiṇo mahārāja kāmbojaḥ pratyavārayat ||
Sañjaya said: O King, as Abhimanyu advanced toward Bhīṣma’s chariot, Sudakṣiṇa—the Kāmboja ruler—checked him and forced him back. In the crush of battle, even a hero’s charge meets vigilant resistance, and duty on both sides shows itself as steadfast protection of one’s commander and formation.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights kṣatriya-duty in action: courage in advancing toward a formidable leader (Abhimanyu toward Bhīṣma) and vigilance in defense (Sudakṣiṇa restraining him). Dharma here appears as steadfast performance of one’s battlefield role—attack and protection—rather than personal ease or hesitation.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Abhimanyu is moving toward Bhīṣma’s chariot, but the Kāmboja king Sudakṣiṇa intercepts him and prevents him from reaching Bhīṣma at that moment.