Shloka 7
भीष्मसेनासंनिवेशः — Bhīṣma’s Mobilization, Omens, and the Kaurava Array
सर्वधर्मविशेषज्ञ: पिता देवव्रतस्तव । समानीय महीपालानिदं वचनमब्रवीत्,उस दिन सम्पूर्ण धर्मोके विशेषज्ञ आपके ताऊ देवव्रत भीष्मजी सब राजाओंको बुलाकर उनसे इस प्रकार बोले--
sarvadharmaviśeṣajñaḥ pitā devavratas tava | samānīya mahīpālān idaṃ vacanam abravīt |
Sañjaya said: That day your grandsire Devavrata (Bhishma), famed as a knower of dharma in all its subtleties, summoned the kings and addressed them with these words.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds Bhishma’s authority as a discerning knower of dharma, implying that political and military decisions should be preceded by ethical reflection and guided by elders who understand the nuances of righteous conduct.
Sanjaya reports to Dhritarashtra that Bhishma (Devavrata) convenes the kings and begins a formal address, preparing the assembly for counsel or instruction relevant to the unfolding war situation.