Shloka 17
भीष्मस्य शरवर्षः — Bhīṣma’s Arrow-Storm and Kṛṣṇa’s Impulse to Intervene
भीष्म योद्धुमभीप्सन्त: संग्रामे विजयैषिण: । क्ष्वेडा: किलकिला: शड्खान् क्रकचान् गोविषाणिका:
sañjaya uvāca | bhīṣmaṃ yoddhum abhīpsantaḥ saṅgrāme vijayaiṣiṇaḥ | kṣveḍāḥ kilakilāḥ śaṅkhān krakacān govīṣāṇikāḥ |
Dijo Sañjaya: Anhelando combatir con Bhishma y buscando la victoria en la lid, los Pándavas avanzaron contra el ejército Kaurava, alzando rugidos de león y agudos clamores de guerra, y haciendo sonar caracolas y otros instrumentos bélicos—un estruendo temible y convocante que proclamaba su determinación y desafiaba al enemigo.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical psychology of war in the epic: warriors publicly declare intent and courage through disciplined, collective signals (roars, conches, instruments). Such sounds are not mere noise; they function as vows of resolve, rallying one’s side and warning the opponent—underscoring responsibility, leadership, and steadfastness in a dharma-framed conflict.
Sañjaya describes the Pāṇḍavas, eager to engage Bhīṣma and seeking victory, advancing upon the Kaurava forces while producing a great martial uproar—lion-roars, sharp cries, and the sounding of conches and other war-instruments—signaling the onset of fierce engagement.