Shloka 81
सौवीरा: कितवाः प्राच्या: प्रतीच्योदीच्यमालवा:,सौवीर, कितव, प्राच्य, प्रतीच्य, उदीच्य, मालव, अभीषाह, शूरसेन, शिबि, वसाति, शाल्वाश्रय, त्रिगर्त, अम्बष्ठ और केकय--इन सभी देशोंके ये सारे महामनस्वी वीर बाणोंसे घायल और घावोंसे पीड़ित होनेपर भी अर्जुनके साथ युद्ध करनेवाले भीष्मको संग्राम भूमिमें छोड़ न सके
saṃjaya uvāca | sauvīrāḥ kitavāḥ prācyāḥ pratīcyodīcyamālavāḥ, sauvīra-kitava-prācya-pratīcya-udīcya-mālava-abhīṣāḥ śūrasenāḥ śibayaḥ vasātayaḥ śālvāśrayāḥ trigartāḥ ambaṣṭhāś ca kekayāś ca—ete sarve mahāmanasvino vīrā bāṇair ghātitā vraṇair upapīḍitā api arjunena saha yuddham ācarantaṃ bhīṣmaṃ saṅgrāmabhūmau parityaktuṃ na śekuḥ |
Sanjaya said: The warriors of the Sauvīras, Kitavas, Prācyas, Pratīcyas, Udīcyas, Mālavas, Abhīṣas, Śūrasenas, Śibis, Vasātis, those allied with the Śālvas, the Trigartas, Ambaṣṭhas, and Kekayas—these all, high-souled heroes though they were, even when struck by arrows and tormented by wounds, could not abandon Bhīṣma on the battlefield as he fought on against Arjuna. The scene underscores the grim ethic of war: steadfast loyalty to one’s commander and cause persists even amid suffering, binding men to the field when retreat would mean dishonor and the collapse of their side’s resolve.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the warrior-code dimension of dharma: even when grievously wounded, allied fighters remain bound by loyalty and honor to their commander (Bhishma) and cannot bring themselves to abandon him on the battlefield. It reflects how collective duty and reputation can override personal pain and self-preservation in epic warfare.
Sanjaya lists multiple regional contingents fighting in the Kuru army. Though pierced by Arjuna’s arrows and suffering from wounds, these warriors continue the fight and are unable to leave Bhishma behind on the field while he battles on against Arjuna.