Shloka 7
शल्य–युधिष्ठिरयुद्धप्रारम्भः
Commencement of the Śalya–Yudhiṣṭhira Duel
शिखण्डी कृतवर्माणं गौतमं च महारथम् | प्रभद्रकै: समायुक्तो योधयामास धन्विनौ,दूसरी ओर शिखण्डीने प्रभद्रकोंकी सेना साथ लेकर कृतवर्मा और महारथी कृपाचार्य --इन दोनों धनुर्धरोंसे युद्ध छेड़ दिया
sañjaya uvāca |
śikhaṇḍī kṛtavarmāṇaṃ gautamaṃ ca mahāratham |
prabhadrakaiḥ samāyukto yodhayāmāsa dhanvinau ||
Sañjaya said: Then Śikhaṇḍī, supported by the Prabhadraka troops, engaged in battle the two bowmen—Kṛtavarmā and the great chariot-warrior Gautama (Kṛpācārya). Thus, under war’s relentless demands, opposing champions were set against each other, each bound by allegiance and martial duty.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the binding force of allegiance and kṣatriya-duty in war: warriors are drawn into combat not merely by personal choice but by their roles, loyalties, and the collective momentum of the battlefield.
Sañjaya reports that Śikhaṇḍī, backed by the Prabhadraka troops, initiates combat against two prominent Kaurava archers—Kṛtavarmā and Kṛpācārya (called Gautama), both described as formidable fighters.