Shloka 17
धृष्टद्युम्नस्ततो राजन् पाण्डवश्च युधिष्ठिर: । श्रुत्वा भीष्मस्य तां वाचं चोदयामासतुर्बलम्,राजन्! उस समय भीष्मजीका वह वचन सुनकर धृष्टद्युम्न और पाण्डुनन्दन युधिष्ठिरने अपनी सेनाको आज्ञा दी--'वीरो! आगे बढ़ो। युद्ध करो और संग्राममें भीष्मपर विजय पाओ। तुम सब लोग शत्रुविजयी सत्यप्रतिज्ञ अर्जुनके द्वारा सुरक्षित हो
dhṛṣṭadyumnas tato rājan pāṇḍavaś ca yudhiṣṭhiraḥ | śrutvā bhīṣmasya tāṁ vācaṁ codayām āsatur balam ||
Sañjaya said: “Then, O King, Dhṛṣṭadyumna and the Pāṇḍava Yudhiṣṭhira, having heard those words of Bhīṣma, urged their army onward—‘Heroes, advance! Fight, and in this battle win victory over Bhīṣma. You are all protected by Arjuna, the conqueror of foes, steadfast in truth to his vows.’”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights righteous leadership in war: commanders must strengthen morale and direct action while grounding confidence in proven virtue—here, Arjuna’s steadfast truthfulness and vow-keeping become an ethical basis for trust and collective courage.
After hearing Bhīṣma’s words, Dhṛṣṭadyumna and Yudhiṣṭhira rally the Pāṇḍava forces to advance and fight, assuring them that Arjuna—renowned for defeating enemies and keeping his vows—stands as their protector in the battle against Bhīṣma.