Shloka 5
Dhṛtarāṣṭra–Sañjaya-saṃvādaḥ; madhyāhna-saṅgrāma-pravṛttiḥ
Dhritarashtra–Sanjaya dialogue and the midday battle escalation
एष भीष्म: शान्तनवो योद्धुकामो धनंजयम् । सर्वात्मना कुरुश्रेष्ठस्त्यक्त्वा जीवितमात्मन:,“वीरो! ये शान्तनुनन्दन कुरुश्रेष्ठ भीष्म अपना जीवन निछावर करके सम्पूर्ण हृदयसे अर्जुनके साथ युद्ध करना चाहते हैं
sañjaya uvāca | eṣa bhīṣmaḥ śāntanavo yoddhukāmo dhanañjayam | sarvātmanā kuruśreṣṭhas tyaktvā jīvitam ātmanaḥ |
Sañjaya dit : «Voici Bhīṣma, fils de Śāntanu—le plus éminent des Kuru—qui, désireux d’affronter Dhanañjaya (Arjuna), s’avance de tout son être, ayant rejeté tout souci pour sa propre vie. En cet instant se dévoilent sa vaillance liée au vœu et sa fidélité au devoir qu’il s’est choisi, alors même qu’il entre dans une guerre où les parents se dressent contre les parents.»
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a warrior-elder’s unwavering commitment to his chosen duty: Bhishma, bound by vows and allegiance, enters battle with total resolve, even at the cost of his life—illustrating how dharma can demand steadfastness amid painful moral complexity.
Sanjaya points out Bhishma on the battlefield, describing him as eager to engage Arjuna and as fighting with full dedication, having set aside attachment to his own survival.