Shloka 2
भीष्म-द्रोणादिभिः पाण्डवसेनाक्षयकाल-निर्णयः | Time-estimates for the depletion of the Pāṇḍava forces
Bhīṣma–Droṇa council
आप्लाव्य शुचय: सर्वे स्रग्विण: शुक्लवासस: । गृहीतशस्त्रा ध्वजिन: स्वस्ति वाच्य हुताग्नय:
āplāvya śucayaḥ sarve sragviṇaḥ śuklavāsasaḥ | gṛhītaśastrā dhvajinaḥ svasti vācya hutāgnayaḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Having bathed and become pure, all of them donned white garments and wore garlands. After having auspicious benedictions recited by the brāhmaṇas and having offered oblations into the sacred fire, they set out toward the battlefield—standards raised and weapons in hand.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores that major actions—especially violent ones—are framed within ritual order: purification, auspicious benedictions, and fire-offerings seek to align human intent with dharma and communal legitimacy, even as the narrative moves toward conflict.
A group prepares to depart for battle: they bathe, dress in white, wear garlands, arrange for brāhmaṇas to recite blessings, offer oblations into the fire, then march out with banners raised and weapons taken up.