Shloka 31
अध्याय ५३ — रणमेघोपमा सेना-वर्णना तथा सुषेण-वधोत्तर प्रतिक्रिया
Battle-as-Storm Imagery and the Aftermath of Suṣeṇa’s Fall
धृष्टय्युम्नं तु समरे संनिवार्य महारथ: । कृतवर्मब्रिवीद्धृष्टस्तिष्ठ तिछठेति भारत,भारत! दूसरी ओर महारथी कृतवर्माने समरांगणमें धृष्टद्युम्मको रोककर बड़े हर्षके साथ कहा--'खड़ा रह, खड़ा रह”
dhṛṣṭadyumnaṃ tu samare saṃnivārya mahārathaḥ | kṛtavarmābravīd dhṛṣṭas tiṣṭha tiṣṭheti bhārata ||
Sañjaya said: In the thick of battle, the great chariot-warrior Kṛtavarmā checked Dhṛṣṭadyumna’s advance. Exultant and eager for combat, he cried out, “Stand your ground—stand!”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣatriya ethos of facing an opponent directly: a warrior publicly calls another to stand firm and meet combat without evasion. Ethically, it underscores resolve and accountability in conflict—accepting the consequences of one’s role and choices on the battlefield.
Sañjaya reports that Kṛtavarmā intercepts Dhṛṣṭadyumna in battle, halting his movement and issuing a direct challenge—“Stand, stand!”—signaling the start or intensification of a focused duel-like engagement amid the larger war.