Shloka 23

भीष्मभीमसमागमः — Bhīṣma–Bhīma Strategic Engagement and Counsel to the King

Devanagari script

तथा व्यूढेष्वनीकेषु यथास्थानमवस्थिता:

Transliteration

tathā vyūḍheṣv anīkeṣu yathāsthānam avasthitāḥ

Translation

Sanjaya said: When the battle-formations had thus been arrayed, the troops stood firm, each remaining in its appointed place—disciplined and ready, as duty in war required.

Word by Word

• तथा: thus, in that manner
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा

• व्यूढेषु: in the arrayed/formed
• व्यूढेषु: Adhikarana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: व्यूढ
• Form: neuter, locative, plural

• अनीकेषु: in the armies/battle-formations
• अनीकेषु: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: अनीक
• Form: neuter, locative, plural

• यथा: as, according to
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा

• स्थानम्: place, position
• स्थानम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्थान
• Form: neuter, accusative, singular

• अवस्थिता: stood/remaining stationed
• अवस्थिता: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अवस्थित
• Form: masculine, nominative, plural

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• संजय (Sañjaya)
• अनीक (army divisions/formations)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights disciplined adherence to one’s assigned role: once the formations are set, each unit remains in its proper station. In the epic’s ethical frame, such steadiness reflects kṣatriya-dharma—order, responsibility, and readiness without confusion.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that after the armies have been arranged into their respective formations, the forces stand positioned in their designated places, indicating that the confrontation is fully set and poised to proceed.