Shloka 4
गौरुडव्यूह-रचना तथा अर्धचन्द्र-प्रत्यव्यूह
Garuḍa Array and the Ardhacandra Counter-Formation
शिखण्डिनं पुरस्कृत्य त्रातुमैच्छन्महारथा: । अभ्यवर्तन्त भीष्मस्य रथं हेमपरिष्कृतम्,जिघांसन्तं युधां श्रेष्ठ तदा55सीत् तुमुलं महत् । संजय कहते हैं--राजन्! पाण्डवपक्षके लाखों क्षत्रियशिरोमणि महारथी विराट सेनापति शूरवीर श्वेतको आगे करके आपके पुत्र दुर्योधनको अपना बल दिखाते हुए शिखण्डीको सामने रखकर भीष्मके सुवर्णभूषित रथपर चढ़ आये। भारत! वे महारथी श्लेतकी रक्षा करना चाहते थे। इसलिये उसे मारनेकी इच्छावाले योद्धाओंमें श्रेष्ठ भीष्मपर उन्होंने धावा किया। उस समय बड़ा भयंकर युद्ध छिड़ गया
sañjaya uvāca | śikhaṇḍinaṃ puraskṛtya trātum aicchan mahārathāḥ | abhyavartanta bhīṣmasya rathaṃ hemapariṣkṛtam, jighāṃsantaṃ yudhāṃ śreṣṭha tadā āsīt tumulaṃ mahat |
Sañjaya said: O King, placing Śikhaṇḍin in the forefront, the great chariot-warriors—seeking to protect him—charged toward Bhīṣma’s chariot, splendidly adorned with gold. As they rushed upon that foremost of fighters, intent on slaying, a vast and dreadful tumult of battle arose.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical strain of kṣatriya warfare: loyalty and protection of one’s side can compel direct assault even against a venerable elder. It suggests that in war, strategy and duty often collide with reverence and personal bonds, producing moral complexity rather than simple heroism.
Sañjaya describes elite warriors advancing on Bhīṣma’s gold-adorned chariot. They place Śikhaṇḍin at the front as a tactical measure and rush in to protect him while confronting Bhīṣma, triggering a massive, terrifying clash.