Shloka 20
भीमसेन-दुर्योधन-प्रहारः तथा घटोत्कचमायाप्रादुर्भावः | Bhīmasena–Duryodhana Clash and the Manifestation of Ghaṭotkaca’s Māyā
अशथोत्तरे महेष्वासा: सहसैन्या नराधिपा: । व्यूहं त॑ं पूरयामासुर्व्यूहशास्त्रविशारदा:
aśvathottare maheṣvāsāḥ sahasainyā narādhipāḥ | vyūhaṃ taṃ pūrayāmāsur vyūhaśāstraviśāradāḥ ||
Sañjaya said: To the north of the Aśvattha tree stood many great bowmen—kings with their troops—well trained in the science of battle-formations. They proceeded to fill out that array, completing it in every limb and subsidiary part, so that the formation became fully organized for war.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights disciplined preparation and expertise in organized warfare: rulers and warriors must act with trained competence and coordinated structure, reflecting the kṣatriya emphasis on order, readiness, and responsibility in battle.
Sañjaya describes how numerous kings with their forces take position north of an Aśvattha tree and expertly complete a battle-array, filling every component of the formation so it becomes fully set for combat.