|| 1.17 ||
काश्यश्च परमेष्वासः शिखण्डी च महारथः। धृष्टद्युम्नो विराटश्च सात्यकिश्चापराजितः।।
kāśyaś ca parameṣv-āsaḥ śikhaṇḍī ca mahā-rathaḥ dhṛṣṭadyumno virāṭaś ca sātyakiś cāparājitaḥ
Word by Word
kāśyaḥ (the King of Kāśī) ca (and) parama-iṣu-āsaḥ (the great archer) śikhaṇḍī (Śikhaṇḍī) ca (and) mahā-rathaḥ (one who can fight ten thousand) dhṛṣṭadyumnaḥ (Dhṛṣṭadyumna) virāṭaḥ (Virāṭa) ca (and) sātyakiḥ (Sātyaki) ca (and) aparājitaḥ (unconquerable)
Translation
That great archer the King of Kāśī, the great fighter Shikhandi, Dhrishtadyumn, Virat, the unconquerable Sātyaki...
Meaning
The description of the blowing of conchs continues, extending to the great allies of the Pāṇḍavas. The King of Kāśī, a supreme archer, and Śikhaṇḍī, the great chariot warrior, join the symphony. Śikhaṇḍī’s presence is particularly significant as he is destined to be the cause of Bhīṣma’s fall.
Dhṛṣṭadyumna, the commander-in-chief, and King Virāṭa also blow their conchs. Included is Sātyaki, the unconquerable hero of the Yādava clan. The verse emphasizes that these are not just soldiers but elite commanders from various kingdoms.
The unity of the Pāṇḍava alliance is displayed here. Kings from various lands have united not just for political gain, but to uphold the cause of Yudhiṣṭhira’s righteousness. Their combined sounds create an atmosphere of overwhelming confidence.