Shloka 11
Bhagadattā’s Deployment Against Ghaṭotkaca; Elephant-Corps Escalation
ततो दुर्योधनो राजा सोदर्य: परिवारित: । भीष्म॑ जुगोप समरे वर्तमाने जनक्षये,जिस समय युद्धमें वह जनसंहार हो रहा था, उसी समय राजा दुर्योधन अपने भाइयोंसे घिरा हुआ वहाँ आ पहुँचा और भीष्मकी रक्षा करने लगा
tato duryodhano rājā sodaryaiḥ parivāritaḥ | bhīṣmaṁ jugopa samare vartamāne janakṣaye ||
तेव्हा राजा दुर्योधन आपल्या सहोदर भावांनी वेढलेला तेथे आला. रणात भयंकर जनक्षय होत असताना त्याने समरभूमीत भीष्मांचे रक्षण करण्यास स्वतःला वाहून घेतले.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even amid catastrophic violence, characters act from layered motives—duty to protect a revered elder and commander, loyalty to one’s side, and attachment to power. The verse highlights how ‘dharma’ in war is not morally simple: protection and devotion can coexist with participation in mass destruction.
During intense fighting and heavy casualties, Duryodhana comes forward with his brothers and takes up a protective position around Bhīṣma, indicating Bhīṣma’s central role in the Kaurava formation and Duryodhana’s concern for safeguarding their foremost warrior.