Shloka 20
Adhyāya 195 — Arjuna’s Capability and Restraint Regarding Divyāstras
Udyoga Parva
पदातयश्च ये शूरा: कार्मुकासिगदाधरा: । सहस््रशो<न्वयु: पश्चादग्रतश्न सहस्रश:,धनुष, बाण, खड़ग और गदा धारण करनेवाले जो पैदल सैनिक थे, वे सहस्रोंकी संख्यामें सेनाके आगे और पीछे चलते थे
padātayaś ca ye śūrāḥ kārmukāsigadādharāḥ | sahasraśo 'nvayuḥ paścād agrataś ca sahasraśaḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana said: The brave foot-soldiers—bearing bows, swords, and maces—marched in their thousands, moving both in front of the army and behind it, forming protective screens as the host advanced.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights disciplined martial order: courage is paired with organized protection of the host, reflecting the kṣatriya ideal that force should be structured and directed rather than chaotic.
Vaiśampāyana describes the army’s movement: thousands of armed foot-soldiers advance as vanguards and rearguards, surrounding the main force to secure it during the march.