Shloka 18
Bhīmasena–Drauṇi Mahāyuddha
Chariot Duel and Astra-Exchange
पादे तु दक्षिणे राजन् गौतम: सत्यविक्रम: । त्रिगर्तें: सुमहेष्वासैर्दाक्षिणात्यैश्व संवृत:
pāde tu dakṣiṇe rājan gautamaḥ satyavikramaḥ | trigartaiḥ sumāheṣvāsair dākṣiṇātyaiś ca saṃvṛtaḥ ||
संजय बोले—राजन्! व्यूह के दाहिने पाद-स्थान में गौतमवंशी सत्यपराक्रमी कृपाचार्य खड़े थे, जो महाधनुर्धर त्रिगर्तों और दाक्षिणात्य वीरों से घिरे थे।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical weight of duty and loyalty in war: renowned elders like Kṛpācārya, though personally venerable, stand firmly in their assigned position within the Kaurava array, exemplifying steadfastness to role (svadharma) amid a morally fraught conflict.
Sañjaya is describing the Kaurava battle-formation to Dhṛtarāṣṭra, specifying that Kṛpācārya (Gautama) is stationed on the right ‘foot’ of the formation, protected and supported by Trigarta archers and southern contingents.