Shloka 21
भीष्मधनंजयद्वैरथम्
Bhīṣma–Dhanaṃjaya Duel and the Opening Clash
त्रासयन्तं रणे शूरान् मर्दयन्तं च सायकै: । सैन्धवप्रमुखैर्गुप्त: प्राव्यसौवीरकेकयै:
trāsayantaṃ raṇe śūrān mardayantaṃ ca sāyakaiḥ | saindhavapramukhair guptaḥ prāvyasauvīrakekayaiḥ ||
وہ میدانِ جنگ میں سورماؤں کو دہشت زدہ کر رہا تھا اور تیروں سے انہیں کچل رہا تھا؛ مگر سَیندھو (جےدرَتھ) کو پیشِ پیش رکھ کر، پرابیہ، سوویر اور کیکَی کے یودھاؤں نے اسے گھیر کر حفاظت دی ہوئی تھی۔
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights that battlefield success is not merely individual valor; it depends on collective protection and coordinated alliances. Ethically, it reflects the kshatriya world where duty includes both striking the enemy and safeguarding one’s own—power is exercised within a network of obligations.
Sañjaya describes a warrior who is frightening and overpowering heroes with arrows, while being guarded by Jayadratha (the Sindhu prince) and allied contingents—Prāvyas, Sauvīras, and Kekayas—indicating a protected formation around him during the fight.