Shloka 14
Droṇasya raudra-prayogaḥ
Droṇa’s intensified assault and the Pāṇḍava response
तेषां प्रपक्षा: काम्बोजा: सुदक्षिणपुर:सरा: । ययुरश्वैर्महावेगै: शकाश्न यवनै: सह,उनके सहायक या प्रपक्ष थे सुदक्षिण आदि काम्बोजदेशीय सैनिक। ये सब लोग शकों और यवनोंके साथ महान् वेगशाली घोड़ोंपर सवार हो युद्धके लिये आगे बढ़े
teṣāṁ prapakṣāḥ kāmbojāḥ sudakṣiṇapuraḥsarāḥ | yayur aśvair mahāvegaiḥ śakāś ca yavanaiḥ saha ||
Sañjaya said: Supporting them were the Kāmboja warriors, led by Sudakṣiṇa. Mounted on swift, high-speed horses, they advanced for battle together with the Śakas and the Yavanas—an allied surge of cavalry moving to reinforce their side in the war.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the role of alliances and specialized forces in war: different peoples unite under a leader and contribute their strengths (here, fast cavalry). Ethically, it underscores how collective choices and loyalties shape the momentum of conflict, even when the larger war is driven by contested dharma.
Sañjaya reports that the Kāmboja troops, led by Sudakṣiṇa, advance to battle on swift horses, accompanied by the Śakas and Yavanas—indicating reinforcements or an allied cavalry movement joining the fighting.