Shloka 3
Arjuna’s Advance toward Bhīṣma; The Gāṇḍīva’s Signal and the Armies’ Convergence (भीष्माभिमुखगमनम् — गाण्डीवनिर्घोष-ध्वजवर्णनम्)
ततो दुर्योधनो राजा सोदर्य: परिवारित: । सौमदत्तिं रणे यत्त: समन्तात् पर्यवारयत्,यह देख भाइयोंसहित राजा दुर्योधनने युद्धके लिये उद्यत होकर भूरिश्रवाको चारों ओरसे घेरकर उसकी रक्षामें तत्पर हो गये
tato duryodhano rājā sodaryaḥ parivāritaḥ | saumadattiṁ raṇe yattaḥ samantāt paryavārayat ||
Dann rückte König Duryodhana, von seinen Brüdern umgeben, in die Schlacht vor und bildete von allen Seiten einen schützenden Ring um Saumadatti (Bhūriśravas), fest entschlossen, ihn zu bewahren. Die Szene betont die erbitterten Loyalitäten des Krieges: Verwandtschaft und Fraktionspflicht drängen Männer dazu, die Ihren zu decken, selbst in einem moralisch schwer belasteten Konflikt.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how, in war, loyalty to one’s side and kinship bonds drive protective action. It invites reflection on dharma under pressure: even when the larger cause is ethically contested, warriors often act from immediate obligations—guarding allies and fulfilling factional duty.
Sanjaya reports that Duryodhana, accompanied by his brothers, moves forward in the fight and encircles Saumadatti (Bhūrishravas) from all directions, effectively shielding him and standing ready to defend him on the battlefield.