अध्याय ८० — मध्यंदिन-रणवृत्तान्तः
Yudhiṣṭhira–Śrutāyu encounter; Cekitāna–Gautama clash; Abhimanyu pressure; Arjuna’s redeployment
तेडभिजाता महेष्वासा: सुवर्णविकृतध्वजा: । परीप्सन्तो5 भ्यधावन्त धृष्टद्युम्नवृकोदरौ
teḍabhijāta mahēṣvāsāḥ suvarṇa-vikṛta-dhvajāḥ | parīpsanto 'bhyadhāvanta dhṛṣṭadyumna-vṛkodarau ||
सुवर्णनिर्मित ध्वजाओं से शोभित वे कुलीन महाधनुर्धर, धृष्टद्युम्न और वृकोदर (भीम) की रक्षा की इच्छा से बड़े वेग से दौड़े।
संजय उवाच
The verse underscores a key aspect of kṣatriya-dharma: valor is inseparable from the duty to protect one’s comrades and commanders. Nobility and martial excellence are shown through swift, self-risking support in battle.
Sañjaya describes a group of noble, powerful archers with gold-ornamented standards charging forward rapidly, aiming to protect Dhṛṣṭadyumna and Vṛkodara (Bhīma) amid the ongoing combat.