Shloka 15
Bhīmasena–Drauṇi Mahāyuddha
Chariot Duel and Astra-Exchange
मकरस्य तु तुण्डे वै कर्णो राजन् व्यवस्थित: । नेत्राभ्यां शकुनि: शूर उलूकश्न महारथ:,राजन्! उस मकर-व्यूहके मुखभागमें स्वयं कर्ण खड़ा हुआ, नेत्रोंके स्थानमें शूरवीर शकुनि तथा महारथी उलूक खड़े किये गये
makarasya tu tuṇḍe vai karṇo rājan vyavasthitaḥ | netrābhyāṃ śakuniḥ śūra ulūkaś ca mahārathaḥ ||
Sañjaya said: “O King, Karṇa took his position at the very mouth of the Makara-formation; and in the places of its eyes were stationed the valiant Śakuni and the great chariot-warrior Ulūka.” The arrangement underscores deliberate martial design—placing key leaders at the ‘head’ of the battle-array to direct force and deception at the point of contact.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how war is shaped not only by valor but by deliberate organization and leadership placement. It implicitly contrasts martial prowess with strategic manipulation: placing Karṇa at the ‘mouth’ signals direct assault leadership, while assigning Śakuni—known for crafty counsel—and Ulūka to the ‘eyes’ suggests guidance, surveillance, and calculated direction of the formation’s intent.
Sañjaya reports to King Dhṛtarāṣṭra the specific deployment within the Makara battle-array: Karṇa stands at the front (the mouth), and Śakuni together with Ulūka are positioned as the eyes. This is part of the detailed description of Kaurava tactical arrangements during the Kurukṣetra war in the Karṇa Parva.