Shloka 13
Sainyavinyāsa–Lakṣaṇa (Disposition of Armies and Battlefield Omens) | सैन्यविन्यास–लक्षणम्
शारद्वतश्रोत्तरधूर्महात्मा महेष्वासो गौतमश्रित्रयोधी । शकै: किरातैर्यवनै: पह्चवैश्व सार्थ चमूमुत्तरतो$भियाति,महान् धनुर्धर और विचित्र रीतिसे युद्ध करनेवाले गौतमवंशीय महामना कृपाचार्य गुरुतर भार ग्रहण करके शक, किरात, यवन तथा पल्लव सैनिकोंके साथ कौरवसेनाके बाँयें भागमें होकर चल रहे थे
sañjaya uvāca |
śāradvataś ca uttaradhūr mahātmā maheṣvāso gautamaś citrayodhī |
śakaiḥ kirātair yavanaiḥ pahlavaiś ca sārthaṃ camūm uttarato 'bhiyāti ||
Sanjaya said: The great-souled Kripa—born of Śaradvat, a mighty archer of the Gautama lineage, famed for varied and unconventional modes of battle—advanced on the northern flank with the Śakas, Kirātas, Yavanas, and Pahlavas, bearing a heavy responsibility in the Kaurava host.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical weight of command in war: even a venerable teacher like Kṛpa must shoulder a ‘heavy yoke’ of leadership. It also points to the complexity of dharma in conflict—duty to one’s side and role can compel participation, while the presence of many allied peoples shows how political allegiance can unite diverse groups under a single cause.
Sañjaya describes Kṛpācārya, a renowned archer of the Gautama lineage, advancing on the northern side of the Kaurava host. He is accompanied by contingents identified as Śakas, Kirātas, Yavanas, and Pahlavas, indicating the arrangement and movement of forces as the battle lines form.