Shloka 4
पाण्डवपरिचयः—विराटसभायां प्रकाशनम्
Identification of the Pāṇḍavas in Virāṭa’s Court
भीष्मस्तत: शान्तनवो विवृत्य हिरण्यकक्षस्त्वरयाभिषड़्ी । दुर्योधन पश्चिमतो<भभ्यरक्षत् पार्थान्महाबाहुरधिज्यधन्वा
bhīṣmas tataḥ śāntanavo vivṛtya hiraṇyakakṣas tvarayābhiṣaḍī | duryodhanaṃ paścimato 'bhyarakṣat pārthān mahābāhur adhijyadhanvā ||
Dijo Vaiśampāyana: Entonces Bhīṣma, hijo de Śāntanu, hizo girar su carro y se lanzó hacia delante—visible su manto de tono dorado al avanzar. De grandes brazos y con el arco ya encordado, tomó posición al oeste (a retaguardia) y comenzó a proteger a Duryodhana de los embates de los Pāṇḍavas.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the warrior-code dimension of dharma: Bhīṣma fulfills his pledged role by protecting his king (Duryodhana) with unwavering resolve. It also points to the ethical tension in the epic—personal vows and loyalty can compel righteous individuals to fight for a contested cause.
Bhīṣma rapidly turns his chariot and arrives at the scene, bow already strung. He takes a rearward/western position and shields Duryodhana from the attacks launched by the Pāṇḍavas.