Shloka 21
भीष्म-युधिष्ठिर-संमर्दः
Bhīṣma’s Pressure on Yudhiṣṭhira; Śikhaṇḍī’s Approach; Evening Withdrawal
धृष्टकेतुस्ततो राजन्नभिमन्युश्न वीर्यवान् केकया द्रौपदेयाश्व॒ तव पुत्रानयोधयन्,महाराज! इसी समय धृष्टकेतु, पराक्रमी अभिमन्यु, पाँच केकयराजकुमार तथा द्रौपदीके पाँचों पुत्र आपके पुत्रोंके साथ युद्ध करने लगे
dhṛṣṭaketus tato rājann abhimanyuś ca vīryavān | kekayā draupadeyāś ca tava putrān ayodhayan ||
Dijo Sañjaya: «Entonces, oh Rey, Dhṛṣṭaketu, el valeroso Abhimanyu, los príncipes de Kekaya y los hijos de Draupadī trabaron combate con tus hijos. Así se ensanchó la contienda cuando jóvenes guerreros de renombre entraron en la refriega, cada cual cumpliendo su lealtad escogida y su deber, bajo el peso moral de una guerra que derrama sangre de parientes.»
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the kṣatriya-world ethic of duty and allegiance: renowned youths and allies enter combat as part of their pledged side, highlighting how dharma in war is bound to responsibility, loyalty, and the grave consequences of violence among kin.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Dhṛṣṭaketu, Abhimanyu, the Kekaya princes, and Draupadī’s sons have begun fighting Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s sons, indicating an escalation as multiple Pāṇḍava-aligned warriors engage the Kaurava forces.