Shloka 12
Sainyasaṅgraha and Bhāga-Vyavasthā (Forces Assembled and Rival Allocations) | सैन्यसंग्रह-भागव्यवस्था
भीष्म: शान्तनवो राजन् भाग: क्लृप्त: शिखण्डिन: । तं॑ विराटोडनुसंयाता सार्थ मत्स्यै: प्रहारिभि:,राजन! शान्तनुनन्दन भीष्मजीके वधका कार्य शिखण्डीको सौंपा गया है। राजा विराट मत्स्यदेशीय योद्धाओंके साथ शिखण्डीकी सहायताके लिये उसका अनुसरण करेंगे
bhīṣmaḥ śāntanavo rājan bhāgaḥ klṛptaḥ śikhaṇḍinaḥ | taṃ virāṭo 'nusamyātā sārthaṃ matsyaiḥ prahāribhiḥ ||
ರಾಜನೇ! ಶಾಂತನುವಿನ ಪುತ್ರ ಭೀಷ್ಮನ ವಧೆಯ ಕಾರ್ಯವನ್ನು ಶಿಖಂಡಿಗೆ ಒಪ್ಪಿಸಲಾಗಿದೆ. ಮತ್ಸ್ಯದೇಶದ ಪ್ರಹಾರಕ ಯೋಧರೊಂದಿಗೆ ರಾಜ ವಿರಾಟನು ಶಿಖಂಡಿಗೆ ನೆರವಾಗಲು ಅವನನ್ನು ಅನುಸರಿಸಿ ಸಾಗುವನು।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights role-allocation in dharmic warfare: responsibilities are deliberately assigned according to circumstance and capability, and allies coordinate to support a designated agent. It also reflects the ethical tension of confronting an invincible elder through a specific, pre-arranged means.
Sanjaya reports the planned arrangement: Shikhandin is designated as the key figure for Bhishma’s downfall, and King Virata, along with Matsya fighters, will accompany and support Shikhandin in that effort.