Shloka 9
भीष्मपर्व — अध्याय 18: सेनानिनादः, ध्वज-दीप्तिः, भीष्मरक्षण-व्यवस्था च
Battle Muster: Soundscape, Banners, and the Protection of Bhīṣma
कुरुयोधवरा राजन् विचित्रायुधकार्मुका: । उद्यतैरायुधैश्ित्रैस्तलबद्धा: पताकिन:
sañjaya uvāca | kuru-yodhavarā rājan vicitrāyudha-kārmukāḥ | udyatair āyudhaiś citrais tala-baddhāḥ patākinaḥ ||
قال سنجيا: أيها الملك، إنّ خيرةَ محاربي الكورو، حاملين أسلحةً عجيبةً وأقواسًا، وقفوا في بهاءٍ وسناء. رُفِعت أسلحتهم المتنوّعة عاليًا، وشُدَّت أيديهم بأربطةٍ واقية، وراياتهم ترفرف في علوّ السماء—صورةٌ لكبرياء القتال وعزمٍ مُنذِرٍ لدى جيش الكاورافا إذ توشك المعركة أن تبدأ.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the outward splendor and preparedness of warriors at the threshold of war, hinting that martial glory can accompany grave moral consequences; it frames the battlefield as a place where kṣatriya valor is displayed even as dharma will be tested by the coming violence.
Sañjaya describes to King Dhṛtarāṣṭra the Kaurava-side elite warriors standing ready: their weapons are raised, their hands are secured for combat, and their banners fly—signaling that the armies are poised for the battle to commence.