Shloka 27
गौरुडव्यूह-रचना तथा अर्धचन्द्र-प्रत्यव्यूह
Garuḍa Array and the Ardhacandra Counter-Formation
श्वेत: कुरूणामकरोत् क्षयं तस्मिन् महाहवे,जिघांसन्तं युधां श्रेष्ठ तदा55सीत् तुमुलं महत् । संजय कहते हैं--राजन्! पाण्डवपक्षके लाखों क्षत्रियशिरोमणि महारथी विराट सेनापति शूरवीर श्वेतको आगे करके आपके पुत्र दुर्योधनको अपना बल दिखाते हुए शिखण्डीको सामने रखकर भीष्मके सुवर्णभूषित रथपर चढ़ आये। भारत! वे महारथी श्लेतकी रक्षा करना चाहते थे। इसलिये उसे मारनेकी इच्छावाले योद्धाओंमें श्रेष्ठ भीष्मपर उन्होंने धावा किया। उस समय बड़ा भयंकर युद्ध छिड़ गया
sañjaya uvāca |
śvetaḥ kurūṇām akarot kṣayaṃ tasmin mahāhave |
jighāṃsantaṃ yudhāṃ śreṣṭha tadā āsīt tumulaṃ mahat ||
Sañjaya said: “In that great battle, Śveta wrought a fearful destruction among the Kurus. Then, as Bhīṣma—the foremost of warriors—sought to slay him, the clash swelled into a vast and tumultuous combat, driven by the resolve to protect one champion and the counter-resolve to cut him down.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a recurring ethical tension in war: loyalty and protection of one’s champion provoke counter-violence, rapidly intensifying conflict. It reflects the kṣatriya world where duty to defend allies and the resolve to neutralize a dangerous foe drive the battle’s momentum.
Śveta is inflicting heavy losses on the Kuru forces. In response, Bhīṣma—described as the foremost warrior—moves with the intent to kill Śveta, and this confrontation triggers a massive, chaotic engagement.