अध्याय ५५ — भीष्मस्य प्रचण्डविक्रमः, अर्जुनप्रत्युत्तरं, कृष्णस्य चक्रोद्यतिः
Chapter 55: Bhīṣma’s onslaught, Arjuna’s counter, and Kṛṣṇa’s raised discus
अश्वत्थामा कृपश्चैव कृतवर्मा च सात्वत: । महत्या सेनया सार्ध सेनापृषछ्ठे व्यवस्थिता:
sañjaya uvāca |
aśvatthāmā kṛpaś caiva kṛtavarmā ca sātvatāḥ |
mahatyā senayā sārdhaṃ senāpṛṣṭhe vyavasthitāḥ ||
Sañjaya berkata: Ashvatthama, Kripa, dan Kritavarman daripada keturunan Satvata, bersama suatu angkatan besar, ditempatkan di bahagian belakang tentera Kaurava, berdiri teguh untuk mengawal dan mengukuhkan garis belakang. Rangkap ini menonjolkan etika ketenteraan tentang perlindungan—memastikan bahagian belakang yang mudah terdedah dipertahankan agar pasukan utama dapat bertempur tanpa takut terputus.
(संजय उवाच
Even in warfare, duty includes protection and responsibility: guarding the rear prevents chaos, safeguards comrades, and reflects disciplined conduct rather than reckless aggression.
Sanjaya describes the Kaurava battle formation: Ashvatthama, Kripa, and Kritavarman are assigned to the army’s rear with a substantial force, serving as a protective screen against attacks from behind.