Shloka 18
Adhyāya 78 — Bhīṣma’s Advance, Duryodhana’s Rally, and Concurrent Duels (भीष्मस्याभ्युद्यमः, दुर्योधनस्योत्साहवचनम्, विविधयुद्धवर्णनम्)
ग्रीवायां शूरसेनश्न तव पुत्रश्न मारिष । दुर्योधनो महाराज राजभिर्बहुभिवृत:,आर्य! महाराज! राजा शूरसेन तथा आपका पुत्र दुर्योधन--ये दोनों बहुत-से राजाओंके साथ क्रौंचव्यूहके ग्रीवाभागमें स्थित हुए
sañjaya uvāca |
grīvāyāṃ śūrasenaś ca tava putraś ca māriṣa |
duryodhano mahārāja rājabhir bahubhir vṛtaḥ ||
આર્ય મહારાજ! રાજા શૂરેસેન અને તમારા પુત્ર મહારાજ દુર્યોધન—ઘણા રાજાઓથી ઘેરાયેલા—ક્રૌંચવ્યૂહના ગ્રીવાભાગમાં સ્થિત થયા।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights that martial power often rests on alliances and protective entourages; ethically, this intensifies a leader’s accountability—being ‘surrounded by many kings’ means one’s choices draw many into the results of war.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra the placement of key Kaurava figures: Śūrasena and Duryodhana are stationed at the ‘neck’ of the Krauñca battle-array, guarded and supported by numerous kings, indicating a strategically important and well-defended position.