Shloka 121
वासवी-शक्तेः प्रयोगः, घटोत्कच-वधोत्तर-शोकः, व्यासोपदेशश्च
The Vāsavī Spear’s Use, Post-Ghaṭotkaca Grief, and Vyāsa’s Counsel
उदीच्या: कृतवर्मा च पुरुमित्र: सुतापन: । दुःशासनो निकुम्भश्न कुण्डभेदी पराक्रम:,“मामा! तुम साठ हजार रथियोंकी सेना साथ लेकर अर्जुनपर आक्रमण करो। कर्ण, वृषसेन, कृपाचार्य, नील, उत्तर दिशाके सैनिक, कृतवर्मा, पुरुमित्र, सुतापन, दुःशासन, निकुम्भ, कुण्डभेदी, पराक्रमी, पुरंजय, दृढ़रथ, पताकी, हेमकम्पन, शल्य, आरुणि, इन्द्रसेन, संजय, विजय, जय, कमलाक्ष, परक्राथी, जयवर्मा और सुदर्शन--ये सभी महारथी वीर तथा साठ हजार पैदल सैनिक तुम्हारे साथ जायँगे
udīcyāḥ kṛtavarmā ca purumitraḥ sutāpanaḥ | duḥśāsano nikumbhaś ca kuṇḍabhedī parākramaḥ ||
Sañjaya said: “From the northern quarter came Kṛtavarmā, along with Purumitra and Sutāpana; and also Duḥśāsana, Nikumbha, and Kuṇḍabhedī—men renowned for their prowess.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse itself is primarily descriptive rather than didactic: it highlights how war advances through the assembling and naming of capable fighters. In the broader Mahābhārata ethical frame, such catalogues implicitly contrast martial capability (parākrama) with the deeper question of whether the cause and conduct align with dharma.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra the arrival/participation of specific Kaurava-aligned warriors, including fighters from the northern quarter, as forces gather for an assault within the Drona Parva battle sequence.