Shloka 3
Arjuna’s Surrender and Kṛṣṇa’s Instruction on the Imperishable Self, Svadharma, and Karma-Yoga
Bhīṣma-parva 24.0
कस्य सेनासमुदये गन्धमाल्यसमुद्धव: । वाच: प्रदक्षिणाश्वैव योधानामभिगर्जताम्,किसकी सेनाओंमें सुगन्धित पुष्पमाला आदिका प्रादुर्भाव हुआ? किस पक्षके गर्जते हुए योद्धाओंकी वाणी उदारतापूर्ण और उत्साहयुक्त थी?
dhṛtarāṣṭra uvāca | kasya senāsamudaye gandhamālyasamudbhavaḥ | vācaḥ pradakṣiṇāś caiva yodhānām abhigarjatām |
Dhṛtarāṣṭra dit : «Lors du rassemblement de quelle armée s’élevèrent les parfums et apparurent les guirlandes de fleurs ? Et de quel côté les voix des guerriers rugissants furent-elles de bon augure, porteuses d’un signe favorable — pleines d’assurance, de grandeur d’âme et d’ardeur — annonçant l’avantage du dharma et des armes ?»
धृतराष्ट उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how leaders seek signs (omens) to judge the moral and psychological momentum of a conflict. It implicitly contrasts mere power with auspiciousness—suggesting that righteousness, confidence, and inner alignment are perceived as indicators of success, not only numbers or weapons.
Dhṛtarāṣṭra questions Sañjaya about the battlefield atmosphere: in which army’s gathering auspicious signs like fragrant flower-garlands appeared, and on which side the warriors’ loud cries sounded favorable (pradakṣiṇa), indicating heightened morale and a promising portent.