Shloka 15
भीष्मस्य शरवर्षः — Bhīṣma’s Arrow-Storm and Kṛṣṇa’s Impulse to Intervene
तावकास्तु रणे यत्ता: सहसेना नराधिपा:
sañjaya uvāca | tāvakās tu raṇe yattāḥ sahasenā narādhipāḥ | rājan! bhīṣmam agre kṛtvā pāṇḍavān abhyadhāvayan | naraśreṣṭha! tathā bhīmasenādayo 'pi pāṇḍavāḥ tava senām abhyakrāman ||
Dijo Sañjaya: Oh rey, tus soberanos, cada cual con su propio contingente, se aprestaron para la batalla y, poniendo a Bhishma a la cabeza, se lanzaron contra los Pándavas. Oh el mejor de los reyes, del mismo modo Bhimasena y los demás Pándavas también arremetieron contra tu ejército.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how allegiance and perceived duty propel both sides into action: leadership (Bhishma at the front) galvanizes troops, while the opposing side responds in kind. Ethically, it frames war as a reciprocal escalation driven by commitment to one’s cause and commander, setting the stage for later reflections on dharma and responsibility.
Sanjaya reports to Dhritarashtra that the Kaurava kings, with their forces, advanced against the Pandavas with Bhishma leading. Immediately, Bhima and the other Pandavas counter-advanced and attacked the Kaurava army, marking a synchronized onset of battle.