Shloka 8
Droṇa’s Renewed Advance toward Yudhiṣṭhira; Fall of Satyajit and Allied Recoil (द्रोणस्य युधिष्ठिरप्रेप्सा—सत्यजितः पतनम्)
गजाश्वरथपत्त्योघास्तस्थु: परमदंशिता: । भूतशर्मा, क्षेमशर्मा, पराक्रमी करकाश, कलिंग, सिंहल, पूर्वदिशाके सैनिक, शूर आभीरगण, दाशेरकगण, शक, यवन, काम्बोज, शूरसेन, दरद, मद्र, केकय तथा हंसपथ नामवाले देशोंके निवासी शूरवीर एवं हाथीसवार, घुड़सवार, रथी और पैदल सैनिकोंके समूह उत्तम कवच धारण करके उस गरुड़के ग्रीवाभागमें खड़े थे ।। भूरिश्रवास्तथा शल्य: सोमदत्तश्न बाह्विक:
gajāśvarathapattīyoghās tasthuḥ paramadaṃśitāḥ | bhūtaśarmā kṣemaśarmā parākrāmī karakāśaḥ kaliṅgāḥ siṃhalāḥ pūrvadiśākāḥ sainikāḥ śūrā ābhīragaṇā dāśerakagaṇāḥ śakā yavanāḥ kāmbojāḥ śūrasenā daradā madrāḥ kekayāḥ tathā haṃsapatha-nāmavāle deśānivāsinaḥ śūrā vīrā gajārūḍhā aśvārūḍhā rathinaḥ pattayaś ca uttamakavacaṃ dhṛtvā tasya garuḍasya grīvābhāge tiṣṭhanti || bhūriśravās tathā śalyaḥ somadattaś ca bāhlīkaḥ ||
Sañjaya said: “Masses of elephant-riders, horsemen, charioteers, and infantry—fierce and highly trained—took their positions. Bhūtaśarmā and Kṣemaśarmā, the valiant Karakāśa, along with warriors from Kaliṅga and Siṃhala, troops from the eastern regions, and bands of Ābhīras and Dāśerakas; Śakas, Yavanas, Kāmbojas, Śūrasenas, Daradas, Madras, Kekayas, and heroes from the land called Haṃsapatha—all wearing excellent armor—stood stationed at the neck-region of that ‘Garuḍa’ formation. There too were Bhūriśravā, Śalya, Somadatta, and Bāhlīka.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores disciplined organization and collective responsibility in war: diverse allies, properly equipped and positioned, act within a structured formation. Ethically, it reflects the Mahābhārata’s recurring tension—martial excellence and duty (kṣatriya-dharma) can be pursued with order and courage, yet remain morally weighty because they serve destructive ends.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra the deployment of Kaurava-aligned forces within a Garuḍa-shaped battle formation. He lists prominent warriors and regional contingents and specifies their placement at the ‘neck’ of the formation, indicating tactical arrangement before or during the day’s fighting.