Shloka 18
भीष्मस्य मध्याह्नयुद्धवर्णनम् / Mid-day Battle Description: Bhīṣma Engaged by the Pāñcālas
हार्दिक्यो बाह्लिकश्चैव सात्यकिं समभिद्रुतौ । अम्बष्ठकस्तु नृपतिरभिमन्युमवस्थित:,कृतवर्मा और बाह्नलीक सात्यकिपर टूट पड़े। राजा अम्बष्ठने अभिमन्युका सामना किया
sanjaya uvāca |
hārdikyo bāhlikaś caiva sātyakiṃ samabhidrutau |
ambaṣṭhakas tu nṛpatir abhimanyum avasthitaḥ ||
Sañjaya dijo: Kṛtavarmā, hijo de Hṛdīka, y el rey Bāhlika se lanzaron de frente contra Sātyaki. Entretanto, el rey de los Ambaṣṭhas se apostó para hacer frente a Abhimanyu. La escena subraya el empuje implacable de la batalla, donde guerreros renombrados buscan deliberadamente adversarios dignos, movidos por la lealtad a su bando y por el severo código guerrero de los kṣatriyas.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣatriya code in wartime: warriors deliberately meet strong opponents, acting from allegiance and duty to their side. Ethically, it reflects how dharma in battle can demand steadfastness and courage even amid destructive conflict.
Sanjaya reports two simultaneous engagements: Kṛtavarmā and Bāhlika charge together at Sātyaki, while the Ambaṣṭha king positions himself to face Abhimanyu in direct combat.