Mahabharata 6.18.13 — Bhishma Parva, Adhyaya 18, Shloka 13
भीष्मपर्व — अध्याय 18: सेनानिनादः, ध्वज-दीप्तिः, भीष्मरक्षण-व्यवस्था च
Battle Muster: Soundscape, Banners, and the Protection of Bhīṣma
शाल्वा मत्स्यास्तथाम्बष्ठास्त्रैगर्ता: केकयास्तथा । सौवीरा: कैतवाः प्राच्या: प्रतीच्योदीच्यवासिन:
sálvā matsyās tathāmbaṣṭhās traigartāḥ kekayās tathā | sauvīrāḥ kaitavāḥ prācyāḥ pratīcyodīcyavāsinaḥ ||
Sañjaya berkata: Kaum Śālva, Matsya, Ambaṣṭha, Trigarta dan Kekaya; demikian juga Sauvīra dan Kaitava; serta para pejuang yang mendiami wilayah timur, barat dan utara—semuanya berdiri siap mengorbankan tubuh dan nyawa, dan dengan lautan kereta perang yang luas mereka melindungi Datuk Bhīṣma.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the warrior-ethic of dharma in battle: allied peoples accept personal risk—even death—to protect a revered commander (Bhīṣma). It frames loyalty and duty as collective responsibilities, especially toward elders and leaders in a righteous military order.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that multiple janapadas—named groups from various regions—have assembled in large numbers, especially with chariots, and are forming a protective screen around Bhīṣma on the battlefield.
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