Shloka 14
भीष्मपर्व — अध्याय ९६: सौभद्रस्य आक्रमणम्, अलम्बुसस्य प्रतिविधानम्
Abhimanyu’s assault; Alambusa’s counter-engagement
अभिमन्युमुखाश्रैव द्रौपदेया महारथा: । क्षत्रदेवश्न विक्रान्त: क्षत्रधर्मा तथैव च,राजन! जैसे पूर्णिमाको समुद्र बड़े वेगसे बढ़ता है, उसी प्रकार भीमसेन अत्यन्त वेगसे आगे बढ़े। उनके पीछे सत्यधृति, रणदुर्मद सौचित्ति, श्रेणिमानू, वसुदान, काशिराजके पुत्र अभिभू, अभिमन्यु आदि योद्धा, द्रौपदीके पाँचों महारथी पुत्र, पराक्रमी क्षत्रदेव, क्षत्रधर्मा, अनूपदेशके राजा नील, जिन्हें अपने बलका पूरा भरोसा था--इन सब वीरोंने विशाल रथसेनाके साथ हिडिम्बाकुमार घटोत्कचको सब ओरसे घेर लिया
sañjaya uvāca | abhimanyumukhāś caiva draupadeyā mahārathāḥ | kṣatradevaś ca vikrāntaḥ kṣatradharmā tathaiva ca ||
Sanjaya said: Along with Abhimanyu at their head, the five Draupadeya princes—mighty chariot-warriors—advanced. So too did the valiant Kṣatradeva and likewise Kṣatradharmā. The passage situates the unfolding battle as a collective surge of duty-bound kṣatriyas, where courage and loyalty to one’s side are displayed through coordinated advance and protection of their formation.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds kṣatriya-dharma as expressed through disciplined courage and solidarity: elite warriors move together under a recognized leader, embodying duty and resolve amid the moral gravity of war.
Sanjaya lists key Pandava-aligned fighters—Abhimanyu leading, followed by the Draupadeya princes and other named warriors—indicating their forward movement and readiness as the battle formation intensifies.