Shloka 3

Arjuna–Bhīṣma Strategic Engagement and Mutual Arrow-Interdiction (भीष्मार्जुनसमागमः)

Devanagari script

तथैव पाण्डवा: सर्वे भीमसेनपुरोगमा: । भीष्मेण युद्धमिच्छन्त: प्रययुरह्ष्टमानसा:,इसी प्रकार समस्त पाण्डव भी भीमसेनको आगे करके भीष्मसे युद्ध करनेकी इच्छा रखकर प्रसन्न मनसे आगे बढ़े

Transliteration

tathaiva pāṇḍavāḥ sarve bhīmasena-purogamāḥ | bhīṣmeṇa yuddham icchantaḥ prayayur hṛṣṭa-mānasāḥ ||

Translation

Sañjaya said: In the same manner, all the Pāṇḍavas—led in the forefront by Bhīmasena—advanced with uplifted hearts, eager to engage Bhīṣma in battle.

Word by Word

तथाthus, in the same way

एवindeed, just

पाण्डवाःthe Pandavas

सर्वेall

भीमसेनपुरोगमाःhaving Bhimasena in front (led by Bhimasena)

भीमसेनBhimasena

पुरोगमाःgoing in front; leaders

भीष्मेणwith Bhishma / against Bhishma (in battle)

युद्धम्battle, fight

इच्छन्तःdesiring, wishing

प्रययुःthey went forth, advanced

हृष्टमानसाःwith delighted minds; cheerful

हृष्टdelighted, gladdened

मानसाःminds

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

Sañjaya

Pāṇḍavas

Bhīmasena (Bhīma)

Bhīṣma

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

War Context

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Geographic Context

Cross References

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights steadfast resolve in the face of a difficult duty: the Pāṇḍavas, though confronting the revered Bhīṣma, proceed with focused intention. It reflects the kṣatriya ethic of meeting adharma with disciplined action, even when the opponent is an elder worthy of respect.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya reports that the Pāṇḍavas collectively move forward to fight Bhīṣma, with Bhīma at the front as their leading warrior. Their advance is portrayed as confident and spirited, signaling the escalation of direct engagement with Bhīṣma on the battlefield.