Shloka 24
दुःशासनश्न बलवान् सह सर्व: सहोदरै: । भीष्म॑ समरमध्यस्थं पालयाज्चक्रिरे तदा,उस समय वे सब वीर और समस्त भाइयोंसहित बलवान् दुःशासन समरभूमिमें खड़े हुए भीष्मकी रक्षा करने लगे
sañjaya uvāca | duḥśāsanaś ca balavān saha sarvaiḥ sahodaraiḥ | bhīṣmaṃ samaramadhyasthaṃ pālayāṃ cakrire tadā ||
Sañjaya said: Then the mighty Duḥśāsana, together with all his brothers, formed a protective guard around Bhīṣma as he stood in the midst of the battle. In the moral tension of the war, their action shows steadfast loyalty to their commander and clan-duty, even as it serves an unrighteous cause.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical complexity of dharma in war: loyalty and protective duty toward a revered leader (Bhīṣma) can be performed with discipline and courage, yet still be morally entangled when serving an unjust side.
During the Kurukṣetra battle, Duḥśāsana and the other Kaurava brothers surround Bhīṣma, who is positioned amid the fighting, and actively guard him so he can continue leading and fighting.