Shloka 5
Dhṛtarāṣṭra–Sañjaya-saṃvādaḥ; madhyāhna-saṅgrāma-pravṛttiḥ
Dhritarashtra–Sanjaya dialogue and the midday battle escalation
एष भीष्म: शान्तनवो योद्धुकामो धनंजयम् । सर्वात्मना कुरुश्रेष्ठस्त्यक्त्वा जीवितमात्मन:,“वीरो! ये शान्तनुनन्दन कुरुश्रेष्ठ भीष्म अपना जीवन निछावर करके सम्पूर्ण हृदयसे अर्जुनके साथ युद्ध करना चाहते हैं
sañjaya uvāca | eṣa bhīṣmaḥ śāntanavo yoddhukāmo dhanañjayam | sarvātmanā kuruśreṣṭhas tyaktvā jīvitam ātmanaḥ |
Sanjaya said: “Behold Bhishma, the son of Shantanu—foremost among the Kurus—who, desiring to fight Dhananjaya (Arjuna), is ready with his whole being, having cast aside concern for his own life. In this moment, Bhishma’s vow-bound valor and loyalty to his chosen duty stand revealed, even as he enters a war that pits kin against kin.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a warrior-elder’s unwavering commitment to his chosen duty: Bhishma, bound by vows and allegiance, enters battle with total resolve, even at the cost of his life—illustrating how dharma can demand steadfastness amid painful moral complexity.
Sanjaya points out Bhishma on the battlefield, describing him as eager to engage Arjuna and as fighting with full dedication, having set aside attachment to his own survival.