Shloka 326
भीष्मभीमसमागमः — Bhīṣma–Bhīma Strategic Engagement and Counsel to the King
शेषा: प्रतिययुर्यत्ता भीष्ममेव महारथम् । चेकितानने समरमें कृपाचार्यके ही साथ युद्ध छेड़ दिया। शेष योद्धा प्रयत्नपूर्वक महारथी भीष्मका ही सामना करने लगे
śeṣāḥ pratiyayur yattā bhīṣmam eva mahāratham | cekitānaś ca samare kṛpācāryeṇa saha yuddham acchindat | śeṣā yodhāḥ prayatnapūrvakaṃ mahārathinaṃ bhīṣmam eva samāhantuṃ pravavṛtuḥ |
Sañjaya dit : Les guerriers restants, pleinement résolus, s’avancèrent contre Bhīṣma seul, ce grand combattant de char. Cekitāna, au cœur de la mêlée, engagea le combat avec Kripa, le précepteur. Les autres, s’employant avec un effort réfléchi, se tournèrent pour affronter Bhīṣma, le reconnaissant comme la force pivot dont la tenue déterminait l’équilibre moral et militaire de cette journée.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the dharmic tension of war: warriors focus their effort on the central pillar of the opposing force (Bhishma), while individual duels (Cekitana vs Kripa) unfold within the larger duty-bound conflict. It reflects kshatriya resolve and the ethical weight of confronting revered elders and teachers on the battlefield.
Sanjaya reports that most fighters move to face Bhishma, the foremost commander and maharatha, while Cekitana separately takes up battle against Kripacharya. The scene depicts the battle lines forming around key champions, with Bhishma becoming the main target of concentrated opposition.