Adhyāya 78 — Bhīṣma’s Advance, Duryodhana’s Rally, and Concurrent Duels (भीष्मस्याभ्युद्यमः, दुर्योधनस्योत्साहवचनम्, विविधयुद्धवर्णनम्)
सात्यकिर्धर्मराजश्च व्यूहग्रीवां समास्थिता: । महाराज! महाबली भीमसेन उसके मुखकी जगह खड़े हुए। सुभद्राकुमार अभिमन्यु, द्रौपदीके पाँच पुत्र, राक्षस घटोत्कच, सात्यकि और धर्मराज युधिष्ठिर--ये उस मकरव्यूहके ग्रीवाभागमें स्थित हुए
sātyakir dharmarājaś ca vyūhagrīvāṃ samāsthitāḥ | mahārāja! mahābalī bhīmasenaḥ tasya mukhasthāne sthitaḥ | subhadrākumāraḥ abhimanyuḥ, draupadyāḥ pañca putrāḥ, rākṣasaḥ ghaṭotkacaḥ, sātyakiḥ ca dharmarājaḥ yudhiṣṭhiraḥ—ete tasya makaravyūhasya grīvābhāge sthitāḥ ||
Sinabi ni Sañjaya: Sina Sātyaki at Haring Yudhiṣṭhira (Dharma-rāja) ay pumuwesto sa “leeg” ng pormasyon ng hukbo. O Mahārāja, ang makapangyarihang Bhīmasena ay tumindig sa kinalalagyan ng “bibig” nito. Si Abhimanyu, anak ni Subhadrā; ang limang anak ni Draupadī; ang rākṣasa na si Ghaṭotkaca; kasama sina Sātyaki at Dharma-rāja Yudhiṣṭhira—sila ang inilagay sa bahaging leeg ng Makara-vyūha. Ipinakikita ng talatang ito ang disiplinadong pag-uugnay sa digmaan: ang lakas ay inilalagay sa unahan, at ang pamumunong may pananagutan ang humahawak sa mahalagang dugtungan ng hanay.
संजय उवाच
Even in warfare, dharma expresses itself as disciplined order, appropriate placement of strength, and accountable leadership. The verse highlights that power (Bhīma) is positioned to strike and protect at the front, while righteous leadership (Yudhiṣṭhira as Dharmarāja) holds a crucial structural point, implying responsibility rather than mere authority.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra the Pāṇḍava deployment against a Makara-shaped battle array. Bhīma takes the ‘mouth’ (front) position, while Sātyaki, Yudhiṣṭhira, Abhimanyu, Draupadī’s five sons, and Ghaṭotkaca are stationed in the ‘neck’ section of the formation.