Shloka 5
अभ्ययाज्जवनैरश्वैः पाण्डवानामनीकिनीम् । महत्या सेनया गुप्तस्तव पुत्रैश्न सर्वश:,संजयने कहा--भारत! उस दिन जब पूर्वह्नकालका अधिक भाग व्यतीत हो गया, सूर्यदेव पश्चिम दिशामें जाकर स्थित हुए और विजयको प्राप्त हुए महामना पाण्डव खुशी मनाने लगे, उस समय सब धर्मोके विशेषज्ञ आपके ताऊ भीष्मजीने वेगशाली अअश्रोंद्वारा पाण्डवोंकी सेनापर आक्रमण किया। उनके साथ विशाल सेना चली और आपके पुत्र सब ओरसे उनकी रक्षा करने लगे
sañjaya uvāca |
abhyayāj javanair aśvaiḥ pāṇḍavānām anīkinīm |
mahatyā senayā guptaḥ tava putraiś ca sarvaśaḥ ||
Sañjaya said: Then, protected on every side by your sons and supported by a vast host, Bhīṣma advanced swiftly with fast-moving horses and fell upon the Pāṇḍavas’ army. The verse shows how martial prowess is amplified by collective protection and coordinated force, even as the battle’s momentum turns on leadership and disciplined support.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a battlefield ethic of coordinated duty: individual valor (swift advance) becomes effective when sustained by disciplined protection and collective support. It also reflects kṣātra-dharma—acting decisively in one’s role within an organized command structure.
Sañjaya reports that the Kuru commander (contextually Bhīṣma) advances rapidly with swift horses and attacks the Pāṇḍava battle-array, while Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s sons surround and protect him, backed by a large supporting force.