Shloka 17
भीष्मभीमसमागमः — Bhīṣma–Bhīma Strategic Engagement and Counsel to the King
रथानामयुतं चापि पुत्राश्न तव दंशिता: । चित्रसेनादय: शूरा अभ्यरक्षन् पितामहम्
rathānām ayutaṃ cāpi putrāśna tava daṃśitāḥ | citrasenādayaḥ śūrā abhyarakṣan pitāmaham ||
Sañjaya disse: “E, ó filho teu, havia também um ayuta (dez mil) de carros—bem armados e dispostos—e heróis como Citrasena, que se puseram ao redor e protegeram o Grandsire. Assim, os anciãos foram guardados por uma força disciplinada, refletindo a resolução dos Kuru de sustentar o dever que escolheram na guerra.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights disciplined protection of a senior leader in a righteous-war framework: loyalty to one’s commander and orderly martial conduct are presented as part of the Kuru understanding of kṣatriya-dharma, even amid morally fraught conflict.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that a large force—ten thousand chariots—along with warriors led by Citrasena, formed a protective screen around Bhīṣma, ensuring the grandsire’s safety on the battlefield.