Shloka 2
Chapter 51: Saṃdhyākāla-saṃhāra
Evening Withdrawal after Arjuna’s Counter-Advance
दुर्मुख: कृतवर्मा च कृप: शल्यो विविंशति: । भीष्म जुगुपुरासाद्य तव पुत्रेण चोदिता:
sañjaya uvāca | durmukhaḥ kṛtavarmā ca kṛpaḥ śalyo viviṁśatiḥ | bhīṣmaṁ jugupur āsādya tava putreṇa coditāḥ ||
నీ కుమారుని ఆజ్ఞచేత దుర్ముఖుడు, కృతవర్ముడు, కృపుడు, శల్యుడు, వివింశతి భీష్ముని సమీపించి, ఆ భయంకర యుద్ధంలో పితామహుని కాపాడుటకు నిలిచిరి।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the tension between duty to one’s commander and the broader moral weight of war: warriors, compelled by loyalty and command, rally to protect a revered elder (Bhīṣma) even as the battle remains ethically complex.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that, on Duryodhana’s instruction, several prominent Kaurava-aligned fighters approach Bhīṣma and form a protective guard around him in the midst of the fierce fighting.