Shloka 12
Dhṛtarāṣṭra–Sañjaya-saṃvādaḥ; madhyāhna-saṅgrāma-pravṛttiḥ
Dhritarashtra–Sanjaya dialogue and the midday battle escalation
तथा शान्तनवं भीष्म श्वैताश्वं श्वेतकार्मुकम् । न शेकुः पाण्डवा द्रष्टूं श्वेत ग्रहमिवोदितम्
tathā śāntanavaṁ bhīṣmaṁ śvaitāśvaṁ śvetakārmukam | na śekuḥ pāṇḍavā draṣṭuṁ śveta-graham ivoditam ||
Sañjaya dit : De même, les guerriers des Pāṇḍava ne purent soutenir la vue de Bhīṣma, fils de Śantanu — monté sur des chevaux blancs et brandissant un arc blanc — lorsqu’il se dressa devant eux tel un astre blanc éclatant dans le ciel.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how moral stature and disciplined power can create a formidable presence: Bhīṣma’s renowned dharma and mastery in arms inspire awe, reminding warriors that inner steadiness is as crucial as weapons in the ethical trial of battle.
Sañjaya reports that Bhīṣma, conspicuous with white horses and a white bow, rises on the battlefield with such brilliance and terror that the Pāṇḍava-side soldiers cannot meet his gaze, likened to looking at a bright white planet newly risen in the sky.