Shloka 4

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

Devanagari script

बृहदूबलश्न कौसल्यश्रित्रसेनो विविंशति: । रथाश्न बहुसाहस्रा: शोभनाश्न महाध्वजा:

Transliteration

sañjaya uvāca |

bṛhadbalaś ca kauśalyaś citraseno viviṁśatiḥ |

rathāś ca bahusāhasrāḥ śobhanāś ca mahādhvajāḥ ||

Translation

Sanjaya said: “O King, Bṛhadbala of Kosala, Citraseṇa, and Viviṁśati are present; and there are many thousands of splendid chariots with lofty banners.” Thus, the Kaurava host is described as vast and well-appointed—an outward show of power meant to steady the king’s mind, even as the moral weight of fratricidal war presses upon all.

Word by Word

• बृहद्बलः: Bṛhadbala (name of the Kosala king)
• बृहद्बलः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: बृहद्बल
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• चित्रसेनः: Citraseṇa (name)
• चित्रसेनः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: चित्रसेन
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• विविंशतिः: Viviṃśati (name)
• विविंशतिः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: विविंशति
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• रथाः: chariots
• रथाः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: रथ
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• बहुसाहस्राः: many thousands (in number)
• बहुसाहस्राः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: बहुसाहस्र
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• शोभनाः: splendid, beautiful
• शोभनाः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शोभन
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• महाध्वजाः: having great banners/standards
• महाध्वजाः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महाध्वज
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sañjaya
• Dhṛtarāṣṭra (implied by 'O King')
• Bṛhadbala
• Kosala
• Citraseṇa
• Viviṁśati
• chariots
• banners/standards (dhvaja)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse underscores how war is framed through numbers, allies, and spectacle (chariots and banners). Ethically, it hints at the contrast between external might and the inner burden of adharma that accompanies a destructive kin-war.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya continues reporting to Dhṛtarāṣṭra the composition and strength of the Kaurava forces, naming key allies/warriors and emphasizing the immense chariot contingent with prominent banners.