Shloka 12
कुरुक्षेत्रे सेनानिवेशवृत्तान्तः — Dhṛtarāṣṭra Questions Saṃjaya on the Deployed Armies
शिखण्डिनं च पाज्चाल्यं सहदेवं च मागधम् । एतान् सप्त महाभागान् वीरान् युद्धाभिकाड्क्षिण:
śikhaṇḍinaṃ ca pāñcālyaṃ sahadevaṃ ca māgadham | etān sapta mahābhāgān vīrān yuddhābhikāṅkṣiṇaḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana said: “Śikhaṇḍin, the Pāñcāla warrior, and Sahadeva of Magadha—these seven illustrious heroes, eager for battle, were thus named.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣatriya ethos of readiness for battle and the mobilization of renowned warriors; ethically, it reflects how fame, duty, and political alignment converge as war becomes imminent.
Vaiśaṃpāyana is listing or pointing out notable warriors—described as seven illustrious heroes—who are eager to engage in the coming conflict, situating the audience within the war-preparations of the Udyoga Parva.