A number of other warriors headed by Somadattas' son, viz., Kripa,, Vrishasena, Shala and the invincible Shalya were engaged in protecting his rear.
पृष्ठगोपास्तु तस्यासन् सौमदत्तिपुरोगमाः। कृपश्च वृषसेनश्च शल: शल्यश्च दुर्जयः॥