Shloka 17
भीष्मपतनविषये धृतराष्ट्रस्य प्रश्नाः | Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Questions on Bhīṣma’s Fall
तथा प्राच्या: प्रतीच्याश्न दाक्षिणात्योत्तरापथा: । सर्वथास्त्रेषु कुशलास्ते रक्षन्तु पितामहम्,'पूर्व, पश्चिम, दक्षिण तथा उत्तर दिशाके जो-जो वीर अस्त्रविद्यामें सर्वथा कुशल हों, वे ही पितामह (भीष्म)-की रक्षा करें
tathā prācyāḥ pratīcyāś ca dākṣiṇātyottarāpathāḥ | sarvathāstreṣu kuśalās te rakṣantu pitāmaham ||
Sanjaya said: “Likewise, let those heroes from the eastern and western quarters, and from the southern and northern regions—men thoroughly skilled in every kind of weapon—stand guard and protect the Grandsire Bhishma.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
In a dharmic war context, leadership entails organized protection of key commanders by assigning the most competent defenders, emphasizing responsibility, preparedness, and disciplined coordination.
Sañjaya reports battlefield arrangements: warriors from all directions/regions who are highly proficient with weapons are instructed to form a protective guard around Bhīṣma, the Kaurava commander.