Shloka 14
अध्याय ५५ — भीष्मस्य प्रचण्डविक्रमः, अर्जुनप्रत्युत्तरं, कृष्णस्य चक्रोद्यतिः
Chapter 55: Bhīṣma’s onslaught, Arjuna’s counter, and Kṛṣṇa’s raised discus
गान्धारा: सिन्धुसौवीरा: शिबयो5थ वसातय: । उनके पीछे प्रतापी वीर महाधनुर्धर द्रोणाचार्यने युद्धके लिये प्रस्थान किया। महाराज! उस समय कुन्तल
gāndhārāḥ sindhu-sauvīrāḥ śibayo 'tha vasātayaḥ | śakuniś ca sva-sainyena bhāradvājam apālayat |
Sañjaya said: The Gandhāras, the Sindhus and Sauvīras, the Śibis, and the Vasātis took their positions. With his own troops, Śakuni protected Droṇa, Bhāradvāja’s son. Thus, in the ordering of battle, allied kings and regional forces were set to guard the key commanders.
(संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how, in war, ‘duty’ is often expressed as loyalty and protection within one’s alliance—guarding commanders and maintaining formation. Ethically, it underscores the Mahābhārata’s recurring tension: steadfastness to one’s side can be treated as dharma, even when the larger justice of the conflict remains morally fraught.
Sañjaya lists allied regional forces (Gandhāra, Sindhu, Sauvīra, Śibi, Vasāti) and states that Śakuni, with his own troops, took up the task of protecting Droṇa (referred to by the Bhāradvāja lineage). It is a snapshot of battlefield organization and protective assignments among Kaurava allies.