Shloka 16
Arjuna–Bhīṣma Strategic Engagement and Mutual Arrow-Interdiction (भीष्मार्जुनसमागमः)
विविंशतिकश्षित्रसेनो विकर्णश्र महारथ: । पुरुमित्रो जयो भोज: सौमदत्तिश्न वीर्यवान्,(अग्रतः पाण्डुसेनाया हाृतिष्ठन् पृथिवीक्षित: ।।
sañjaya uvāca |
viviṁśatir citraseno vikarṇaś ca mahārathaḥ |
purumitro jayo bhojaḥ saumadattiś ca vīryavān |
(agrataḥ pāṇḍu-senāyā hṛtiṣṭhan pṛthivīkṣitaḥ ||)
Sañjaya berkata: Viviṁśati, Citrasena dan Vikarṇa sang maharatha; Purumitra, Jaya, Bhoja serta putera Somadatta yang gagah (Bhūriśravas)—raja-raja ini berdiri di hadapan barisan tentera Pāṇḍava. Menggoncang busur-busur besar mereka dan menggenggam anak panah yang apabila dilepaskan tampak seperti ular berbisa, mereka kelihatan laksana awan ribut berkilat petir, menentang garis musuh dan menjadi tirai pertahanan yang menggerunkan di hadapan Pāṇḍava.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse emphasizes the kṣatriya ideal of steadfastness and organized resistance in battle: leaders take the forefront, display readiness, and form a protective line. Ethically, it illustrates how martial excellence and courage can be deployed in service of one’s side—without itself guaranteeing the righteousness of the cause.
Sañjaya lists prominent Kaurava warriors—Viviṁśati, Citrasena, Vikarṇa, Purumitra, Jaya, Bhoja, and Bhūriśravas—who advance to the front and stand facing the Pāṇḍava forces, appearing like storm-clouds with lightning as they ready bows and serpent-like arrows.