Shloka 17
अध्याय ५५ — भीष्मस्य प्रचण्डविक्रमः, अर्जुनप्रत्युत्तरं, कृष्णस्य चक्रोद्यतिः
Chapter 55: Bhīṣma’s onslaught, Arjuna’s counter, and Kṛṣṇa’s raised discus
भूरिश्रवा: शल: शल्यो भगदत्तश्न मारिष: । विन्दानुविन्दावावन्त्यौ वाम॑ पार्श्वमपालयन्
sañjaya uvāca | bhūriśravāḥ śalaḥ śalyo bhagadattaś ca mārīṣaḥ | vindānuvindāv āvantyau vāmaṃ pārśvam apālayan | somadattaputro bhūriḥ trigartarājaḥ suśarmā | kāmbojarājaḥ sudakṣiṇaḥ śrutāyuś cācyutāyuś ca dakṣiṇabhāge sthitvā tāṃ senām apālayan |
Sañjaya said: “O revered king, Bhūrishravas, Śala, Śalya, and Bhagadatta—along with the Avanti princes Vinda and Anuvinda—were guarding the left flank of that army. On the right flank stood Bhūri, Somadatta’s son, the Trigarta king Suśarmā, the Kamboja king Sudakṣiṇa, and the warriors Śrutāyu and Acyutāyu, protecting the host.”
(संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights kṣatriya-dharma in practice: disciplined protection of assigned positions, coordinated leadership, and responsibility to safeguard one’s sector of the army—showing that duty in war is carried out through order, vigilance, and collective commitment.
Sanjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra how key Kaurava-aligned warriors are deployed: certain kings and princes are assigned to guard the left flank, while another group is stationed on the right flank, indicating a structured battle formation and readiness for engagement.