Shloka 23
कृप-अर्जुन रथयुद्धम्
Kṛpa–Arjuna Chariot Engagement
अग्रतः सूतपुत्रस्तु कर्णस्तिष्ठतु देंशित: । अहं सर्वस्य सैन्यस्य पश्चात् स्थास्यामि पालयन्,सूतपुत्र कर्ण कवच धारण करके सेनाके आगे रहे और मैं पृष्ठभागकी रक्षा करता हुआ सम्पूर्ण सेनाके पीछे स्थित रहूँगा
agrataḥ sūtaputrastu karṇas tiṣṭhatu deṃśitaḥ | ahaṃ sarvasya sainyasya paścāt sthāsyāmi pālayan |
Bhīṣma berkata: “Biarlah Karṇa, putera sais kereta, berdiri di barisan hadapan, lengkap bersenjata. Aku pula akan berada di belakang seluruh angkatan, menjaga bahagian belakang.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Leadership in war is not only about valor at the front but also about responsibility for collective safety. Bhīṣma assigns roles so that the army’s vulnerable rear is protected, showing dharma as guardianship and disciplined command.
Bhīṣma issues a tactical instruction: Karṇa is to take the forward position, fully armed, while Bhīṣma himself will stay behind the main force to protect the army from attacks from the rear.