Shloka 60
गौरुडव्यूह-रचना तथा अर्धचन्द्र-प्रत्यव्यूह
Garuḍa Array and the Ardhacandra Counter-Formation
भीष्मस्य पतितं केतु दृष्टवा तालं महात्मन: । महात्मा भीष्मके तालध्वजको पृथ्वीपर पड़ा देख पाण्डव हर्षसे उललसित हो प्रसन्नतापूर्वक शंख बजाने लगे ।। ५९ हूं ।। ततो दुर्योधन: क्रोधात् स््वमनीकमनोदयत्
bhīṣmasya patitaṁ ketuṁ dṛṣṭvā tālaṁ mahātmanaḥ | mahātmā bhīṣmake tāladhvajako pṛthvīpara paḍā dekha pāṇḍava harṣase ullasita ho prasannatāpūrvaka śaṅkha bajāne lage || 59 hūṁ || tato duryodhanaḥ krodhāt svam anīkam anodayat |
Sañjaya said: “Seeing the great Bhīṣma’s banner—marked with the palmyra emblem—fallen to the ground, the Pāṇḍavas were filled with joy; exulting, they blew their conches in gladness. Then Duryodhana, inflamed with anger, roused his own army.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how external signs in war—such as a fallen banner—can swiftly shift collective morale, and how leaders respond: the Pāṇḍavas express confidence through auspicious conch-blasts, while Duryodhana counters discouragement by forcefully rallying his troops. Ethically, it shows the kṣatriya context where steadiness and leadership under pressure are crucial, even amid intense emotions like anger.
Sañjaya reports that Bhīṣma’s palmyra-marked standard has fallen to the ground. Interpreting this as a favorable sign, the Pāṇḍavas rejoice and blow their conches. Immediately after, Duryodhana, angered by this turn and the enemy’s jubilation, stirs his own army to renewed action.