Shloka 23
Daśame’hani Bhīṣma-yuddham — Śikhaṇḍī-rakṣaṇa, Arjuna-prabhāva, Duryodhana-āśraya-vākyam
ततो दुर्योधनश्वैव कृपश्च रथिनां वर:
tato duryodhanaś caiva kṛpaś ca rathināṃ varaḥ | mahatā rathavaṃśena pārthasyāvārayan diśaḥ ||
ततो दुर्योधनश्चैव कृपश्च रथिनां वरः । महता रथवंशेन पार्थस्यावारयन् दिशः ॥
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a recurring Mahābhārata insight: in war, even exceptional prowess is met by coordinated opposition. Ethically, it points to the tension between individual valor and collective strategy within kṣatriya conflict—where tactical necessity often overrides personal rivalry, and many unite to restrain one who threatens the larger formation.
Sañjaya reports that Duryodhana and Kṛpa, supported by a large chariot contingent, position themselves to block Arjuna’s movement in every direction—effectively hemming him in and preventing him from advancing along any route.