Shloka 543
भीष्मपर्व — अध्याय 54: फल्गुन-प्रतिरोधः, सौबली-व्यूह-विध्वंसः, दुर्योधन-भीष्म-संवादः
ग्रीवायां नियुतं चापि सहस्राणि च सप्तति: । उस क्रौंचपक्षीके पंखभागमें दस हजार, शिरोभागमें एकः लाख, पृष्ठभागमें एक अर्बुद* बीस हजार तथा ग्रीवाभागमें एक लाख सत्तर हजार रथ मौजूद थे
grīvāyāṁ niyutaṁ cāpi sahasrāṇi ca saptatiḥ |
Sinabi ni Sañjaya: “At sa bahagi ng leeg man, may itinakdang isang niyuta, kasama pa ang pitumpung libo.” (Sa kabuuang salaysay, ito’y bahagi ng masusing pagbilang sa hanay-pandigma ng mga Kaurava na inayos sa pormasyong ‘Krauñca’ (tagak), kung ilang karwaheng pandigma ang inilagay sa bawat bahagi—upang idiin ang lawak at maingat na kaayusan ng nalalapit na labanan.)
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse itself is primarily descriptive rather than doctrinal: it underscores how war is prosecuted through careful planning, numerical strength, and structured formations. Ethically, the broader passage invites reflection on the human cost behind such calculations—how vast numbers are marshalled for destruction, and how strategic brilliance can coexist with moral tragedy.
Sañjaya is reporting to the blind king Dhṛtarāṣṭra the arrangement of the Kaurava forces in the Krauñca (crane) formation. This line specifies the number assigned to the ‘neck’ portion of that formation, continuing a section-by-section tally of troops/chariots.