Shloka 75
Vāsudeva-Māhātmya: Duryodhana’s Inquiry and Bhīṣma’s Theological Account of Keśava
द्रोणो विकर्णो5थ जयद्रथश्न भूरिश्रवा: कृतवर्मा कृपश्च । श्रुतायुरम्बष्ठपतिश्न राजा विन्दानुविन्दौ च सुदक्षिणश्व,तब द्रोण, विकर्ण, जयद्रथ, भूरिश्रवा, कृतवर्मा, कृपाचार्य, श्रुतायु, राजा अम्बष्ठपति, विन्द, अनुविन्द, सुदक्षिण, पूर्वीय नरेशगण, सौवीरदेशीय क्षत्रियगण, वसाति, क्षुद्रक और मालवगण--ये सभी शानानुनन्दन भीष्मकी आज्ञाके अनुसार चलते हुए तुरंत ही किरीटधारी अर्जुनका सामना करनेके लिये निकट चले आये
sañjaya uvāca |
droṇo vikarṇo ’tha jayadrathaś ca bhūriśravāḥ kṛtavarmā kṛpaś ca |
śrutāyur ambaṣṭhapatiś ca rājā vindānuvindau ca sudakṣiṇaś ca ||
Sañjaya said: Drona, Vikarna, Jayadratha, Bhūriśravā, Kṛtavarmā, and Kṛpa; Śrutāyu, the king of the Ambaṣṭhas, and also Vinda and Anuvinda, along with Sudakṣiṇa—these warriors, acting in obedience to Bhīṣma’s command, quickly advanced to confront Arjuna, the bearer of the diadem. The passage underscores the disciplined chain of command in war: personal prowess is subordinated to the general’s order, and the ethical weight of the moment lies in how leaders direct force and how warriors choose to follow.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical structure of warfare in the epic: warriors act within a hierarchy, moving under Bhīṣma’s command. It invites reflection on responsibility—leaders bear moral weight for orders given, and fighters for the choice to follow them in a cause they deem righteous.
Sañjaya enumerates key Kaurava-aligned champions who, following Bhīṣma’s directive, rapidly advance to engage Arjuna (identified by his diadem). It is a mobilization scene that sets up a focused confrontation around Arjuna on the battlefield.