Shloka 81
सौवीरा: कितवाः प्राच्या: प्रतीच्योदीच्यमालवा:
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 |
सौवीर, कितव, प्राच्य, प्रतीच्य, उदीच्य, मालव, अभीष, शूरसेन, शिबि, वसाति, शाल्वाश्रय, त्रिगर्त, अम्बष्ठ आणि केकय—या सर्व देशांतील महामनस्वी वीर बाणांनी जखमी व व्रणांनी पीडित असूनही, किरीटधारी अर्जुनाशी युद्ध करणाऱ्या भीष्माला रणभूमीवर सोडून जाऊ शकले नाहीत.
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.