Shloka 35
भीष्मस्य मण्डलव्यूहः — Bhīṣma’s Maṇḍala Battle-Formation and the Opening Engagements
वे सब-के-सब दुर्योधनकी आज्ञासे अर्जुनका संहार करनेके लिये आये थे। परंतु वे उस समय आगममें गिरे हुए पतंगोंकी भाँति उनके पास आते ही नष्ट हो गये ।। ततो मत्स्या: केकयाश्च धरनुर्वेदविशारदा: । परिवत्रुस्तदा पार्थ सहपुत्रं महारथम्,तदनन्तर थधर्नुर्विद्यामें प्रवीण मत्स्य और केकयदेशके वीर अभिमन्यु आदि पुत्रोंसे युक्त महारथी अर्जुनको घेरकर कौरवोंसे युद्धके लिये खड़े हो गये
tato matsyāḥ kekayāś ca dhanuḥvedaviśāradāḥ | parivavruḥ tadā pārthaṃ sahaputraṃ mahāratham ||
Disse Sañjaya: Todos eles vieram por ordem de Duryodhana para matar Arjuna; mas, ao se aproximarem, foram destruídos, como mariposas que caem no fogo. Então os guerreiros de Matsya e de Kekaya, versados na ciência do arco, cercaram Arjuna, o grande combatente de carro, junto com seu filho, e puseram-se prontos para lutar contra os Kauravas.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in warfare, dharma expresses itself through disciplined duty: capable allies protect their leader and uphold their pledged cause, showing that skill (dhanuḥ-veda) is ethically directed when used in loyal defense and righteous commitment.
Sanjaya reports that the Matsya and Kekaya fighters, renowned archers, close ranks around Arjuna along with his son, forming a protective formation and preparing to engage the Kaurava forces.