Shloka 14
भीष्मस्य मण्डलव्यूहः — Bhīṣma’s Maṇḍala Battle-Formation and the Opening Engagements
भो भो: कौरवदायाद सहास्माभिमहाबल । एहि युध्यस्व संग्रामे समस्तै: पृथगेव वा,“महाबली कौरवपुत्र! आओ, इस संग्रामभूमिमें हम सब लोगोंके साथ अथवा पृथक्- पृथक् एक-एकके साथ युद्ध करो
bho bhoḥ kauravadāyāda sahāsmābhir mahābala | ehi yudhyasva saṅgrāme samastaiḥ pṛthag eva vā ||
Sañjaya sprach: „He da, Erbe des Kuru-Geschlechts, du Mächtiger mit starken Armen! Komm—kämpfe in dieser Schlacht, entweder gegen uns alle zugleich oder, wenn du es vorziehst, Mann gegen Mann.“
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds the kṣatriya code of honor in war: a direct summons to combat that frames battle as a test of courage and legitimacy. It also implies a choice of engagement—facing many at once or accepting single combats—highlighting ideals of valor and fair challenge within the battlefield’s dharma.
Sañjaya reports a taunt-like call addressed to a Kuru-line warrior: he is invited to step forward and fight, either against the group collectively or in individual duels. The line functions as a battlefield provocation meant to draw the opponent into immediate combat.