Shloka 56
भीष्मस्य सेनापत्यप्रतिज्ञा तथा रथसंख्यावर्णनम् | Bhishma Accepts Command and Enumerates Kaurava Strength
ततः कर्णसमादिष्टा दूता: संत्वरिता रथै: । उष्ट्वामीभिरप्यन्ये सदश्वैक्ष महाजवै:
tataḥ karṇasamādiṣṭā dūtāḥ saṁtvaritā rathaiḥ | uṣṭrāmībhiḥ apyanye sadaśvaiś ca mahājavaiḥ ||
Sañjaya said: Then, at Karṇa’s command, the messengers hurried forth—some in chariots, others mounted on camels and camel-mares, and still others on excellent horses of great speed. They sped through all the divisions of the army, proclaiming Karṇa’s order that everyone must be ready for battle before sunrise the next day.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical weight of command in wartime: a leader’s decision rapidly becomes a binding duty for many, making discipline, readiness, and responsible leadership crucial.
At Karṇa’s instruction, swift messengers ride out on chariots, camels, and fast horses to all army units, announcing that everyone must be prepared for battle before the next sunrise.