Shloka 17
Bhīṣma-parva Adhyāya 16 — Saṃjaya’s Boon, Bhīṣma’s Protection, and the Dawn Arraying of Armies
दशैते पुरुषव्याप्रा: शूरा परिघबाहव: । अक्षौहिणीनां पतयो यज्वानो भूरिदक्षिणा:
daśaite puruṣavyāprāḥ śūrā pari-gha-bāhavaḥ | akṣauhiṇīnāṃ patayo yajvāno bhūri-dakṣiṇāḥ ||
三阇耶说道：这十位精悍之士——臂如铁棍的英雄——皆为军旅之主，各自统领一支阿克绍希尼。他们皆为行祭之人，曾修大祭，并以丰厚达克希那（祭礼酬赠）施与。于史诗的道德框架中，此偈揭示俱卢之战的悖论：以勇武与公然虔敬著称的人，如今却成了将领，站在一场将考验他们祭祀本欲护持之达摩的战争之中。
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights that worldly merit (great sacrifices and generous gifts) and martial excellence can coexist with participation in destructive war; it invites reflection on how dharma is tested when power, prestige, and duty converge on the battlefield.
Sañjaya is describing to Dhṛtarāṣṭra the prominent Kaurava-side leaders who each command an akṣauhiṇī, emphasizing their strength and their reputation as accomplished sacrificers and generous patrons.