Shloka 7
Adhyāya 104 — Śikhaṇḍin-puraskāraḥ (Śikhaṇḍin as Vanguard) and Bhīṣma’s Counter-Advance
तथैव तावका: सर्वे भीष्मद्रोणपुर:सरा: । अद्भुतानि विचित्राणि चक्कु: कर्माण्यभीतवत्,संजयने कहा--आर्य! मैं बड़े दुःखके साथ उस रोमांचकारी संग्रामका वर्णन करूँगा, जो राक्षसराज अलम्बुष और सुभद्राकुमार अभिमन्युमें हुआ था तथा पाएण्डुपुत्र अर्जुन, भीमसेन, नकुल और सहदेवने युद्धमें किस प्रकार पराक्रम किया और उसी प्रकार भीष्म, द्रोण आदि आपके सभी योद्धाओंने निर्भीक-से होकर अद्भुत और विचित्र कर्म किये--यह सब भी मुझसे सुनिये
tathaiva tāvakāḥ sarve bhīṣma-droṇa-puraḥsarāḥ | adbhutāni vicitrāṇi cakruḥ karmāṇy abhītavat ||
Sañjaya said: “In the same way, all your warriors—led in the forefront by Bhīṣma and Droṇa—performed astonishing and varied feats of arms, acting without fear. Hear from me of those deeds as well.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣatriya ideal of steadfast courage and disciplined action in battle: leaders like Bhīṣma and Droṇa stand at the forefront, and their followers act fearlessly, emphasizing responsibility, resolve, and the power of exemplary leadership.
Sañjaya continues his battlefield report to Dhṛtarāṣṭra, stating that the Kaurava forces, with Bhīṣma and Droṇa leading, carried out extraordinary and diverse martial exploits without fear, and he invites the listener to hear these events.