Shloka 19

भीष्म उवाच स विस्फार्य धर्नुर्दिव्यं गृहीत्वा च शरान्‌ बहून्‌ । अतिष्ठत्‌ सूर्यममभितो या तो याति ततो मुख:

bhīṣma uvāca sa visphārya dhanur divyaṃ gṛhītvā ca śarān bahūn | atiṣṭhat sūryam abhitō yāto yāti tato mukhaḥ ||

Bhishma said: He stretched his celestial bow, took up many arrows, and then took his stand facing the Sun—turning his countenance in the very direction in which the Sun moves.

भीष्मःBhishma
भीष्मः:
Karta
TypeNoun
Rootभीष्म
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular
उवाचsaid
उवाच:
Karta
TypeVerb
Rootवच्
FormPerfect, 3rd, Singular
सःhe
सः:
Karta
TypePronoun
Rootतद्
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular
विस्फार्यhaving stretched (drawn)
विस्फार्य:
Karana
TypeVerb
Rootविस्फारय् (वि + स्फुर्/स्फार् caus.)
FormLyap (absolutive/gerund), Active, true
धनुःbow
धनुः:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootधनुस्
FormNeuter, Accusative, Singular
दिव्यम्divine
दिव्यम्:
Karma
TypeAdjective
Rootदिव्य
FormNeuter, Accusative, Singular
गृहीत्वाhaving taken
गृहीत्वा:
Karana
TypeVerb
Rootग्रह्
FormKtvā (absolutive/gerund), Active, true
and
:
TypeIndeclinable
Root
Formtrue
शरान्arrows
शरान्:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootशर
FormMasculine, Accusative, Plural
बहून्many
बहून्:
Karma
TypeAdjective
Rootबहु
FormMasculine, Accusative, Plural
अतिष्ठत्stood / took position
अतिष्ठत्:
Karta
TypeVerb
Rootस्था (अधि + स्था)
FormImperfect, 3rd, Singular
सूर्यम्the sun
सूर्यम्:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootसूर्य
FormMasculine, Accusative, Singular
अभितःaround
अभितः:
Adhikarana
TypeIndeclinable
Rootअभितः
Formtrue
यतःfrom where
यतः:
Apadana
TypeIndeclinable
Rootयतस्
Formtrue
यातिgoes
याति:
TypeVerb
Rootया
FormPresent, 3rd, Singular
ततःfrom there
ततः:
Apadana
TypeIndeclinable
Rootततस्
Formtrue
मुखःfacing / with face (towards)
मुखः:
Karta
TypeNoun
Rootमुख
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular

भीष्म उवाच

B
Bhishma
S
Sun (Sūrya)
D
divine bow (divya-dhanuḥ)
A
arrows (śara)

Educational Q&A

The verse highlights disciplined readiness and resolute stance: the warrior prepares with divine weaponry and aligns himself with a cosmic reference (the Sun’s course), suggesting steadiness, clarity of direction, and purposeful action.

A figure (spoken of by Bhishma) draws a celestial bow, takes many arrows, and stands positioned facing the Sun, turning his face toward the direction of the Sun’s movement—signaling preparation for a decisive martial act.