Shloka 35
भीष्मस्य मण्डलव्यूहः — Bhīṣma’s Maṇḍala Battle-Formation and the Opening Engagements
वे सब-के-सब दुर्योधनकी आज्ञासे अर्जुनका संहार करनेके लिये आये थे। परंतु वे उस समय आगममें गिरे हुए पतंगोंकी भाँति उनके पास आते ही नष्ट हो गये ।।
tato matsyāḥ kekayāś ca dhanuḥvedaviśāradāḥ | parivavruḥ tadā pārthaṃ sahaputraṃ mahāratham ||
Dijo Sañjaya: Todos ellos habían venido por orden de Duryodhana para dar muerte a Arjuna; pero al acercarse quedaron destruidos, como polillas que caen en el fuego. Entonces los guerreros de Matsya y de Kekaya, consumados en la ciencia del arco, rodearon a Arjuna, el gran guerrero de carro, junto con su hijo, y se dispusieron a combatir contra los Kauravas.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in warfare, dharma expresses itself through disciplined duty: capable allies protect their leader and uphold their pledged cause, showing that skill (dhanuḥ-veda) is ethically directed when used in loyal defense and righteous commitment.
Sanjaya reports that the Matsya and Kekaya fighters, renowned archers, close ranks around Arjuna along with his son, forming a protective formation and preparing to engage the Kaurava forces.