Shloka 9
भीष्मधनंजयद्वैरथम्
Bhīṣma–Dhanaṃjaya Duel and the Opening Clash
एतेषु नरवीरेषु चेदिमत्स्येषु चाभिभू: । ववर्ष शरवर्षाणि वृद्ध: कुरुपितामह:
eteṣu naravīreṣu cedimatsyeṣu cābhibhūḥ | vavarṣa śaravarṣāṇi vṛddhaḥ kurupitāmahaḥ ||
Sañjaya said: Then, over those heroic warriors—and over the Cedis and the Matsyas as well—the aged grandsire of the Kurus, Bhīṣma, poured down showers of arrows. With the battle now begun, he advanced with sudden resolve, embodying the stern ethic of the kṣatriya’s duty: to fight without hesitation once the field has been entered, even against formidable opponents.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the uncompromising nature of kṣatriya-dharma once war has commenced: a commander must act decisively and bear the moral weight of battle without wavering, even in old age, when duty and allegiance demand steadfast action.
Sañjaya narrates that Bhīṣma, the aged Kuru grandsire, advances in the now-begun battle and unleashes intense volleys of arrows against prominent opposing warriors and against the contingents of Cedi and Matsya.