Shloka 17
कर्णस्य सेनापत्यं, माकरव्यूहः, पाण्डवानामर्धचन्द्रव्यूहः
Karna’s Command; Mākara Formation; Pandava Crescent Counter-Array
तथा सुषेणो5प्यसिचर्मपाणि- स्तवात्मज: सत्यसेनश्न वीर: । व्यवस्थितौ चित्रसेनेन सार्ध हृष्टात्मानौ समरे योद्धुकामौ
tathā suṣeṇo 'py asicarmapāṇis tavātmajaḥ satyasenaś ca vīraḥ | vyavasthitau citrasenena sārdhaṁ hṛṣṭātmanau samare yoddhukāmau ||
Demikian pula Suṣeṇa—menggenggam pedang dan perisai—serta putramu yang gagah, Satyasena, berdiri tersusun bersama Citrasena. Hati mereka terangkat oleh gairah; di tengah perang mereka siap bertempur, rindu menyongsong laga.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the kṣatriya ideal of disciplined readiness: warriors stand properly arrayed, armed, and mentally resolved to fight. Ethically, it reflects how inner disposition (hṛṣṭātman—ardent, confident spirit) and outward preparedness (weapons, formation) together shape conduct in war.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Suṣeṇa, Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s son Satyasena, and Citrasena are positioned together on the battlefield, armed with sword and shield, enthusiastic and intent on engaging in combat.