Vāsudeva-Māhātmya: Duryodhana’s Inquiry and Bhīṣma’s Theological Account of Keśava
अभ्ययाज्जवनैरश्वैः पाण्डवानामनीकिनीम् । महत्या सेनया गुप्तस्तव पुत्रैश्न सर्वश:
sañjaya uvāca |
abhyayāj javanair aśvaiḥ pāṇḍavānām anīkinīm |
mahatyā senayā guptaḥ tava putraiś ca sarvaśaḥ ||
Sañjaya dit : Alors, protégé de toutes parts par tes fils et soutenu par une vaste armée, Bhīṣma s’élança avec des chevaux rapides et fondit sur l’armée des Pāṇḍava. Le vers montre comment la prouesse guerrière se trouve accrue par la protection commune et la force coordonnée, tandis que le cours du combat dépend du commandement et d’un appui discipliné.
संजय उवाच
The verse highlights a battlefield ethic of coordinated duty: individual valor (swift advance) becomes effective when sustained by disciplined protection and collective support. It also reflects kṣātra-dharma—acting decisively in one’s role within an organized command structure.
Sañjaya reports that the Kuru commander (contextually Bhīṣma) advances rapidly with swift horses and attacks the Pāṇḍava battle-array, while Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s sons surround and protect him, backed by a large supporting force.