Shloka 21
भीष्मधनंजयद्वैरथम्
Bhīṣma–Dhanaṃjaya Duel and the Opening Clash
त्रासयन्तं रणे शूरान् मर्दयन्तं च सायकै: । सैन्धवप्रमुखैर्गुप्त: प्राव्यसौवीरकेकयै:
trāsayantaṃ raṇe śūrān mardayantaṃ ca sāyakaiḥ | saindhavapramukhair guptaḥ prāvyasauvīrakekayaiḥ ||
ਰਣ ਵਿੱਚ ਉਹ ਸੂਰਮਿਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਦਹਿਸ਼ਤ ਵਿੱਚ ਪਾ ਰਿਹਾ ਸੀ ਅਤੇ ਤੀਰਾਂ ਨਾਲ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਕੁਚਲ ਰਿਹਾ ਸੀ; ਪਰ ਸੈੰਧਵ (ਜਯਦ੍ਰਥ) ਅੱਗੇ ਰਹਿ ਕੇ, ਪ੍ਰਾਵ੍ਯ, ਸੌਵੀਰ ਅਤੇ ਕੇਕਯ ਦੇ ਯੋਧਿਆਂ ਵੱਲੋਂ ਉਹ ਸੁਰੱਖਿਅਤ ਸੀ।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights that battlefield success is not merely individual valor; it depends on collective protection and coordinated alliances. Ethically, it reflects the kshatriya world where duty includes both striking the enemy and safeguarding one’s own—power is exercised within a network of obligations.
Sañjaya describes a warrior who is frightening and overpowering heroes with arrows, while being guarded by Jayadratha (the Sindhu prince) and allied contingents—Prāvyas, Sauvīras, and Kekayas—indicating a protected formation around him during the fight.