Shloka 12
भीष्मपर्व — अध्याय 18: सेनानिनादः, ध्वज-दीप्तिः, भीष्मरक्षण-व्यवस्था च
Battle Muster: Soundscape, Banners, and the Protection of Bhīṣma
अभीषाहा: शूरसेना: शिबयो5थ वसातय:
sañjaya uvāca | abhīṣāhāḥ śūrasenāḥ śibayo 'tha vasātayaḥ śālvā matsyā ambaṣṭhās trigartāḥ kekayāḥ sauvīrāḥ kaitavāś ca pūrva-paścimottara-deśa-nivāsinaḥ—ete dvādaśa janapadāḥ sarve śūrāḥ śarīraṃ nikhilīkartuṃ kṛta-niścayā vipula-ratha-samūhena pitāmaha-bhīṣmasya rakṣāṃ kurvanti sma ||
Sañjaya said: The warriors of the Abhīṣāhas, the Śūrasenas, the Śibis, and the Vasātis—along with the Śālvas, Matsyas, Ambaṣṭhas, Trigartas, Kekayas, Sauvīras, and Kaitavas, and also fighters from the eastern, western, and northern regions—these heroes from twelve realms, resolved to lay down their bodies, were guarding Grandfather Bhīṣma with a vast mass of chariots.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a key wartime ethic in the epic: pledged protection (rakṣā) of one’s commander and revered elder (Bhīṣma) through disciplined collective action, even at the cost of one’s life. It frames valor not merely as aggression but as steadfast duty and loyalty within a chosen allegiance.
Sañjaya reports that warriors from many regions—counted as twelve janapadas—have formed a large chariot-based protective screen around Bhīṣma. They are portrayed as fully prepared to die in order to defend him on the battlefield.