Shloka 9
भीष्मसेनासंनिवेशः — Bhīṣma’s Mobilization, Omens, and the Kaurava Array
एष व: शाश्वत: पन्था: पूर्व: पूर्वतरै: कृत: । सम्भावयध्वमात्मानमव्यग्रमनसो युधि
eṣa vaḥ śāśvataḥ panthāḥ pūrvaḥ pūrvataraiḥ kṛtaḥ | sambhāvayadhvam ātmānam avyagramanaso yudhi ||
Sañjaya said: “This is your eternal path, the ancient way established by your forefathers. Therefore, with minds untroubled in the midst of battle, uphold your own honor—win worthy renown and respect by displaying valor in war.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames warfare, for those bound by kṣatriya-dharma, as an inherited and time-honored duty: one should enter battle with a steady, undistracted mind and uphold personal and familial honor through courageous conduct.
Sañjaya, narrating events to Dhṛtarāṣṭra, conveys an exhortation to the warriors: the course they are taking is the traditional path of their lineage, and they should fight with composure, seeking rightful renown rather than acting from agitation or fear.