Adhyāya 111 (Book 6): Daśama-dina-saṃgrāma—Bhīṣma’s Counsel to Yudhiṣṭhira and the Śikhaṇḍin-Led Advance
तथैवान्ये महेष्वासा: सुशर्मप्रमुखा नृपा: । जघनं पालयामासुस्तव सैन्यस्य भारत,भारत! इसी प्रकार सुशर्मा आदि अन्य महाधनुर्धर राजाओंने आपकी सेनाके जघनभागकी रक्षाका कार्य सँभाला
tathaivānye maheṣvāsāḥ suśarmapramukhā nṛpāḥ | jaghanaṁ pālayāmāsus tava sainyasya bhārata ||
Sañjaya nói: “Cũng như vậy, những cung thủ kiệt xuất khác—các vị vua do Suśarmā dẫn đầu—đã nhận lấy nhiệm vụ canh giữ hậu quân của đạo binh ngài, hỡi Bhārata.”
संजय उवाच
The verse highlights kṣatriya-duty in war: leaders assign and accept specific responsibilities—here, guarding the rear—showing disciplined cooperation and loyalty within a collective enterprise.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that, alongside other deployments, Suśarmā and other powerful kings were appointed to protect the back portion of the Kaurava forces, securing the army’s formation from attacks from behind.