Shloka 18
भीष्मस्य मण्डलव्यूहः — Bhīṣma’s Maṇḍala Battle-Formation and the Opening Engagements
एवमुक्ता महेष्वासास्ते वीरा: क्षिप्रकारिण: । महता शरवर्षेण अभ्यधावन्नरिंदमम्
evam uktā maheṣvāsās te vīrāḥ kṣiprakāriṇaḥ | mahatā śaravarṣeṇa abhyadhāvann ariṃdamam bhūriśravāḥ ||
Sañjaya said: Thus addressed, those heroic, great bowmen—swift to act—rushed forward, showering a mighty rain of arrows, and fell upon Bhūriśravā, the subduer of foes.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights promptness and resolve in action: once a directive or decision is given, warriors act swiftly and in unity. Ethically, it reflects the battlefield ideal of disciplined responsiveness within kṣatriya-dharma.
After being addressed, a group of great archers immediately charges and attacks Bhūriśravā, covering him with a heavy barrage of arrows.