Shloka 19
अध्याय ५५ — भीष्मस्य प्रचण्डविक्रमः, अर्जुनप्रत्युत्तरं, कृष्णस्य चक्रोद्यतिः
Chapter 55: Bhīṣma’s onslaught, Arjuna’s counter, and Kṛṣṇa’s raised discus
अश्वत्थामा कृपश्चैव कृतवर्मा च सात्वत: । महत्या सेनया सार्ध सेनापृषछ्ठे व्यवस्थिता:
sañjaya uvāca |
aśvatthāmā kṛpaś caiva kṛtavarmā ca sātvatāḥ |
mahatyā senayā sārdhaṃ senāpṛṣṭhe vyavasthitāḥ ||
Sinabi ni Sañjaya: Sina Ashvatthama, Kripa, at Kritavarman na mula sa angkan ng Satvata, kasama ang isang malaking puwersa, ay nakapuwesto sa hulihan ng hukbong Kaurava, matatag na nakatindig upang bantayan at tiyakin ang likurang hanay. Itinatampok ng taludtod ang etikang pandigma ng pag-iingat—na ang marupok na likuran ay pinangangalagaan upang ang pangunahing hukbo’y makalaban nang walang pangambang maputol ang kanilang daan.
(संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in warfare, duty includes protection and responsibility: guarding the rear prevents chaos, safeguards comrades, and reflects disciplined conduct rather than reckless aggression.
Sanjaya describes the Kaurava battle formation: Ashvatthama, Kripa, and Kritavarman are assigned to the army’s rear with a substantial force, serving as a protective screen against attacks from behind.