Shloka 18
Bhīmasena–Drauṇi Mahāyuddha
Chariot Duel and Astra-Exchange
पादे तु दक्षिणे राजन् गौतम: सत्यविक्रम: । त्रिगर्तें: सुमहेष्वासैर्दाक्षिणात्यैश्व संवृत:,राजन! व्यूहके दाहिने पैरके स्थानमें महाधनुर्धर त्रिगर्तों और दाक्षिणात्योंसे घिरे हुए सत्यपराक्रमी कृपाचार्य खड़े थे
pāde tu dakṣiṇe rājan gautamaḥ satyavikramaḥ | trigartaiḥ sumāheṣvāsair dākṣiṇātyaiś ca saṃvṛtaḥ ||
Sañjaya said: “O king, on the right foot of the battle-formation stood Gautama—Kṛpācārya—of unfailing valor, surrounded by the Trigartas, mighty archers, and by the warriors of the southern lands.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical weight of duty and loyalty in war: renowned elders like Kṛpācārya, though personally venerable, stand firmly in their assigned position within the Kaurava array, exemplifying steadfastness to role (svadharma) amid a morally fraught conflict.
Sañjaya is describing the Kaurava battle-formation to Dhṛtarāṣṭra, specifying that Kṛpācārya (Gautama) is stationed on the right ‘foot’ of the formation, protected and supported by Trigarta archers and southern contingents.