Shloka 50
उपायधर्म-सेनायोगः
Upāya-dharma and Senāyoga: Expedient Ethics & Army Deployment
क्षेयेडा: किलकिलाशब्दा: क्रकचा गोविषाणिका: । भेरीमृदज़पणवान् नादयेयु: पुराश्चरान्
kṣeyeḍāḥ kila-kilā-śabdāḥ krakacā go-viṣāṇikāḥ | bherī-mṛdaṅga-paṇavān nādayeyuḥ purāścarān ||
Bhīṣma said: “Let those who march in the van of the army raise loud battle-cries and jubilant shouts, and sound the instruments—krakaca, the horn (go-viṣāṇikā), and the great drums such as the bherī, mṛdaṅga, and paṇava—so that the troops advance in ordered confidence and the enemy’s courage is shaken.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in warfare, effective leadership emphasizes order, coordination, and morale. Bhīṣma highlights organized signals—cries and instruments—to unify the army’s movement and strengthen resolve.
Bhīṣma gives practical counsel about how the troops at the front should advance: raising loud cries and sounding horns and drums so the army moves forward with confidence and a clear martial rhythm.