Shloka 15
Droṇasya raudra-prayogaḥ
Droṇa’s intensified assault and the Pāṇḍava response
मद्रास्त्रिगर्ता: साम्बष्ठा: प्रतीच्योदीच्यमालवा: । शिबय: शूरसेनाश्व शूद्राश्न मलदै: सह
madrāḥ strigartāḥ sāmbaṣṭhāḥ pratīcyodīcyamālavāḥ | śibayaḥ śūrasenāś ca śūdrāś ca maladāḥ saha ||
Sañjaya said: The Madras, the Trigartas, the Sāmbaṣṭhas, the western and northern Mālavas, the Śibis, the Śūrasenas, the Śūdras, and the Maladas as well—these peoples were all present, gathered as part of the vast war-host.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
By listing many peoples drawn into the battle, the verse highlights the expansive human reach of royal decisions in war: a ruler’s pursuit of victory implicates entire communities, intensifying the ethical burden (dharma) of choosing conflict and sustaining it.
Sañjaya continues his report to Dhṛtarāṣṭra by enumerating contingents present in the war-host—naming various peoples and regional groups who have assembled together as part of the forces engaged in the Drona Parva battles.