Shloka 15
गौरुडव्यूह-रचना तथा अर्धचन्द्र-प्रत्यव्यूह
Garuḍa Array and the Ardhacandra Counter-Formation
सचापा: सनिषज्ञश्न जातरूपपरिष्कृता: । विस्रब्धहतवीराश्व॒ शतश: परिपीडिता:
sa-cāpāḥ sa-niṣaṅgāś ca jātarūpa-pariṣkṛtāḥ | visrabdha-hata-vīrāśvāḥ śataśaḥ paripīḍitāḥ || jighāṃsantaṃ yudhāṃ śreṣṭhaṃ tadā āsīt tumulaṃ mahat |
Wika ni Sañjaya: “O Hari, maraming mandirigmang may pana at lalagyan ng palaso, at pinalamutian ng ginto—na ang matatapang nilang kabayo’y napatumba at sila’y napipisil nang matindi, daan-daan—ay sumugod pa rin. Nang hangarin nilang patayin si Bhīṣma—ang pinakadakila sa mga mandirigma—sumiklab ang isang napakalawak at magulong labanan.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical tension of kṣatriya-dharma: warriors, richly armed and driven by resolve, press into battle with the explicit intent to kill a supreme opponent. It underscores how collective aggression and the pursuit of victory can rapidly escalate into uncontrollable violence, demanding discernment and responsibility from leaders.
Sañjaya describes a surge of combatants—equipped with bows and quivers and decorated with gold—who, despite losses and pressure, rush to strike down Bhīṣma. Their assault triggers a great, chaotic clash on the battlefield.