Shloka 15
Arjuna–Bhīṣma Strategic Engagement and Mutual Arrow-Interdiction (भीष्मार्जुनसमागमः)
दुर्योधनश्च पुत्रस्ते दुर्मुखो दःशल: शल: । दुःशासनश्वातिरथस्तथा दुर्मर्षणो नूप,(अग्रतः पाण्डुसेनाया हाृतिष्ठन् पृथिवीक्षित: ।।
duryodhanaś ca putras te durmukho duḥśalaḥ śalaḥ | duḥśāsanaś cātirathas tathā durmarṣaṇo nṛpa (agrataḥ pāṇḍusenāyā hṛṣṭiṣṭhan pṛthivīkṣitaḥ) ||
Санджая сказал: О царь, твой сын Дурьодхана — вместе с Дурмукхой, Духшалой, Шалой, великим колесничим-воином Духшасаной, а также Дурмаршаной — стояли, ликуя, в самом переднем ряду, прямо перед войском Пандавов.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how martial valor and rank (e.g., atiratha) can be driven by pride and aggression; it invites reflection on the ethical tension between kṣatriya duty to fight and the moral consequences of ambition and hostility.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Duryodhana and key Kaurava warriors take position at the forefront facing the Pāṇḍava forces, signaling readiness to engage and intensifying the opening confrontation.