Shloka 51
Dvaipāyana-hrade Duryodhanasya Māyā — Yudhiṣṭhirasya Dharmoktiḥ (Śalya-parva, Adhyāya 30)
अर्जुनो भीमसेनश्व माद्रीपुत्रौी च पाण्डवौ । धृष्टद्युम्नश्ष पाउ्चाल्य: शिखण्डी चापराजित:
arjuno bhīmasenaś ca mādrīputrau ca pāṇḍavau | dhṛṣṭadyumnaś ca pāñcālyaḥ śikhaṇḍī cāparājitaḥ ||
अर्जुन, भीमसेन, माद्री के दोनों पुत्र पाण्डव; पाञ्चाल धृष्टद्युम्न और अपराजित शिखण्डी—ये सब (अग्रसर/उपस्थित) थे।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the ethical gravity of martial leadership: those who bear responsibility in war must stand with steadiness and purpose. By naming key champions and calling Śikhaṇḍī “unconquered,” it frames resolve and duty (kṣatriya-dharma) as central virtues amid destructive conflict.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra by listing prominent Pāṇḍava-side warriors—Arjuna, Bhīma, the twins Nakula and Sahadeva, along with Dhṛṣṭadyumna of the Pāñcālas and Śikhaṇḍī—indicating their presence/advance in the ongoing battle context of the Śalya Parva.