Shloka 13
Bhīṣma’s Stuti of Keśava and Counsel on Nara–Nārāyaṇa (भीष्म-स्तवः; नरनारायण-प्रसङ्गः)
शड्खस्वनास्तूर्यरथस्वनाश्न सर्वेष्वनीकेषु ससिंहनादा: । तत:ः: सबाणानि महास्वनानि विस्फार्यमाणानि धनूंषि वीरै:
saṅkhasvanās tūryarathasvanāś ca sarveṣv anīkeṣu sa-siṃhanādāḥ | tataḥ sa-bāṇāni mahāsvanāni visphāryamāṇāni dhanūṃṣi vīraiḥ || dhanuḥvedavido mukhyā ajeyāḥ śatrubhir yudhi | sahatāputraṃ jighāṃsantaṃ parivavruḥ kirīṭinam ||
Sañjaya dijo: En todas las divisiones del ejército se alzaron a la vez el clamor de las caracolas, el sonido de trompetas e instrumentos, el retumbar de los carros y los rugidos leoninos de los guerreros. Luego resonó el poderoso chasquido de los arcos al tensarse—con las flechas ya encajadas—mientras los héroes se aprestaban a herir. Maestros consumados del tiro con arco, invencibles para los enemigos en combate, rodearon al Arjuna coronado con diadema, con la intención de matarlo junto con su hijo.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how war amplifies collective intent: disciplined skill (dhanuḥveda) and coordinated force can be directed toward a single objective—here, the attempted killing of Arjuna and his son—reminding the reader of the grave ethical weight of martial resolve and the consequences of choosing violence as a means.
Sañjaya describes the battlefield erupting with conches, instruments, chariots, and war-cries; then bows are drawn with arrows set, producing a loud twang. Foremost archers, deemed hard to defeat in combat, close in and surround Arjuna (the diadem-wearer), intent on killing him along with his son.