Shloka 20
Adhyāya 78 — Bhīṣma’s Advance, Duryodhana’s Rally, and Concurrent Duels (भीष्मस्याभ्युद्यमः, दुर्योधनस्योत्साहवचनम्, विविधयुद्धवर्णनम्)
स्वसेनया च सहित: सुशर्मा प्रस्थलाधिप: । वामपक्ष॑ समाश्रित्य दंशित: समवस्थित:,प्रस्थलाधिपति (त्रिगर्तराज) सुशर्मा कवच धारण करके अपनी सेनाके साथ व्यूहके वामपक्षका आश्रय लेकर खड़े थे
svasenayā ca sahitaḥ suśarmā prasthalādhipaḥ | vāmapakṣaṃ samāśritya daṃśitaḥ samavasthitaḥ ||
Sañjaya berkata: Suśarmā, penguasa Prasthala, bersenjata zirah dan diiringi pasukannya sendiri, mengambil tempat di sayap kiri susunan tempur. Penempatan itu menandakan ketegasan taktikal yang disengajakan—setiap raja berdiri di tempat yang dituntut oleh kewajipan kepada pihaknya dan keperluan perang, meskipun pertikaian itu bergerak menuju akibat moral yang berat.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights disciplined adherence to role and placement in a collective undertaking: a warrior-king stands where assigned, equipped and supported by his troops. In the Mahābhārata’s ethical frame, such readiness reflects kṣatriya-duty and strategic responsibility, even though the larger war remains morally fraught.
Sañjaya reports battlefield dispositions: Suśarmā, identified as the ruler of Prasthala, arrives with his own forces, armours himself, and takes position on the left flank of the vyūha (battle-array), indicating the arrangement of Kaurava-aligned forces.