Shloka 17
Bhīmasena–Drauṇi Mahāyuddha
Chariot Duel and Astra-Exchange
वामपादे तु राजेन्द्र कृतवर्मा व्यवस्थित: । नारायणबलैयक्तो गोपालैरयुद्धदुर्मदै:,राजेन्द्र! उस मकरव्यूहके बायें पैरकी जगह नारायणी-सेनाके रणदुर्मद गोपालोंके साथ कृतवर्मा खड़ा किया गया था
vāmapāde tu rājendra kṛtavarmā vyavasthitaḥ | nārāyaṇabalaiyukto gopālair ayuddhadurmadāḥ ||
Sañjaya said: “O king, on the left ‘foot’ of that formation, Kṛtavarmā was stationed, supported by the Nārāyaṇa force—those cowherd-warriors, intoxicated with the pride of battle.” The placement underscores how carefully the commanders arranged their strength, assigning a fierce and devoted contingent to guard a crucial flank in the unfolding ethics-laden violence of war.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights disciplined deployment of power in war and hints at the ethical tension of martial pride: even formidable, devoted troops can become ‘durmada’—overconfident—showing how strategy and inner disposition together shape the moral texture of battle.
Sañjaya reports to the king that Kṛtavarmā has been placed on the left flank (the ‘left foot’) of the battle-array, accompanied by the Nārāyaṇa force—cowherd-warriors renowned for their battle-fervor—indicating a deliberate guarding of a key side of the formation.