रणभूमिवर्णनम् — Devāsuropama-yuddha and the ‘River’ Metaphor of the Battlefield
इस प्रकार श्रीमह्ा भारत शल्यपर्वमें शल्यका सेनापतिके पदपर अभिषेकाविषयक सातवाँ अध्याय पूरा हुआ,ततः सर्वे समागम्य पुत्रेण तव सैनिका: । कृपश्च कृतवर्मा च द्रौणि: शल्योडथ सौबल:
tataḥ sarve samāgamya putreṇa tava sainikāḥ | kṛpaś ca kṛtavarmā ca drauṇiḥ śalyaḥ atha saubalaḥ ||
Sañjaya berkata: Kemudian semua pahlawan tuanku berhimpun bersama putera tuanku. Antara mereka ialah Kṛpa, Kṛtavarmā, putera Droṇa iaitu Drauṇi (Aśvatthāmā), Śalya, dan Saubala (Śakuni).
संजय उवाच
The verse highlights how collective resolve and leadership structures can sustain a course of action—even a destructive one. Ethically, it invites reflection on responsibility: when eminent elders and allies rally around a leader, their support amplifies the consequences of continuing adharma-driven conflict.
After the developments concerning Śalya’s command, the principal Kaurava warriors assemble together with Duryodhana. The verse lists key figures—Kṛpa, Kṛtavarmā, Aśvatthāmā, Śalya, and Śakuni—signaling a strategic regrouping of the Kaurava leadership.