Shloka 37
Saṃśaptakas in Candrārdha-vyūha; Arjuna’s Devadatta and the Traigarta Rout
Chapter 17
एवमुकक््त्वा तदा राजंस्ते<भ्यवर्तन्त संयुगे । आह्वयन्तोडर्जुनं वीरा: पितृजुष्टां दिशं प्रति,राजन! ऐसा कहकर वे वीर संशप्तकगण उस समय अर्जुनको ललकारते हुए युद्धस्थलमें दक्षिण दिशाकी ओर जाकर खड़े हो गये
evam uktvā tadā rājan te 'bhyavartanta saṁyuge | āhvayanto 'rjunaṁ vīrāḥ pitṛjuṣṭāṁ diśaṁ prati ||
Sañjaya said: “Having spoken thus, O King, those heroes turned back in the thick of battle. Challenging Arjuna by name, the Saṁśaptakas took their stand facing the southern quarter—the direction hallowed by the Fathers—resolved to press their vow through combat.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the warrior ethic of steadfastness to one’s declared intent: the Saṁśaptakas publicly challenge Arjuna and deliberately take position toward the southern quarter, a direction associated with the Pitṛs, implying readiness for death and the consequences of their vow within the moral gravity of war.
After making their declaration, the Saṁśaptaka warriors wheel about on the battlefield and, calling out to provoke Arjuna, move to and stand facing the southern direction, signaling a formal, vow-driven confrontation with him.