Shloka 96
अध्याय ८८ — घटोत्कच-दुर्योधनयुद्धवर्णनम्
Ghaṭotkaca–Duryodhana Engagement
अभ्युद्ययुस्ते शितशस्त्रहस्ता रिरक्षिषन्तो रथमर्जुनस्थ । अस्त्रधारियोंमें श्रेष्ठ वीर अर्जुनपर आक्रमण होता देख शिखण्डी आदि महारथी उनके रथकी रक्षा करनेके लिये तीखे अस्त्र-शस्त्र हाथमें लिये आगे बढ़े
abhyudyayus te śitaśastrahastā rirakṣiṣanto ratham arjunastha
सञ्जय उवाच—अर्जुनस्थं रथं रिरक्षिषन्तः शितशस्त्रहस्ताः शिखण्ड्यादयो महारथाः, वीरं पार्थमभ्युद्ययुस्ते।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣatriya duty of protection and solidarity in battle: when a principal warrior is targeted, allied heroes must step forward to defend him, treating the safeguarding of comrades and the chariot-position as an ethical obligation within warfare.
Sañjaya reports that as Arjuna comes under attack, Śikhaṇḍī and other mahārathas advance with sharp weapons to protect Arjuna’s chariot, forming a defensive response to the enemy’s assault.