Shloka 10
अध्याय ५५ — भीष्मस्य प्रचण्डविक्रमः, अर्जुनप्रत्युत्तरं, कृष्णस्य चक्रोद्यतिः
Chapter 55: Bhīṣma’s onslaught, Arjuna’s counter, and Kṛṣṇa’s raised discus
(संजय उवाच दुर्योधनवच: श्रुत्वा सर्व एव महारथा: । तथेत्येनं नृपा ऊचुस्तदा द्रोणपुरोगमा: ।।
sañjaya uvāca
duryodhanavacaḥ śrutvā sarva eva mahārathāḥ |
tathety enaṃ nṛpā ūcustadā droṇapurogamāḥ ||
tato bhīṣmaś ca droṇaś ca tava putrāś ca māriṣa |
avyūhanta mahāvyūhaṃ pāṇḍūnāṃ pratibādhanam ||
Sañjaya said: O King, having heard Duryodhana’s words, all the great chariot-warriors and the kings—led by Droṇa—replied, “So be it,” thereby accepting his proposal. Then Bhīṣma and Droṇa, together with your sons, O revered one, arranged a vast battle-formation, designed to obstruct and check the forces of the Pāṇḍavas.
(संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how assent by respected leaders can convert a single leader’s intent into collective action: once the chiefs and kings say “tathāstu,” responsibility becomes shared, and strategic choices in war carry ethical weight because they shape the scale and direction of violence.
After hearing Duryodhana’s proposal, the assembled great warriors and kings—headed by Droṇa—agree to it. Immediately thereafter, Bhīṣma, Droṇa, and the Kaurava princes organize a large military formation intended to hinder the Pāṇḍava army.