Shloka 8
Dhṛtarāṣṭra–Sañjaya-saṃvādaḥ; madhyāhna-saṅgrāma-pravṛttiḥ
Dhritarashtra–Sanjaya dialogue and the midday battle escalation
ततः प्रयात: सहसा भीष्म: शान्तनवोडर्जुनम् | रणे भारतमायान्तमाससाद महाबल:,तदनन्तर शान्तनुनन्दन भीष्म युद्धभूमिमें सहसा अर्जुनके सामने गये। भरतवंशी भीष्मको आते देख महाबली अर्जुन उनके पास जा पहुँचे
tataḥ prayātaḥ sahasā bhīṣmaḥ śāntanavo 'rjunam | raṇe bhāratam āyāntam āsasāda mahābalaḥ ||
Sañjaya dit : «Alors Bhīṣma, fils de Śāntanu, s’avança soudain et fit face à Arjuna sur le champ de bataille. Voyant Bhīṣma venir au cœur de la mêlée, le puissant Arjuna se porta à sa rencontre. La scène fait surgir une grave tension morale : des aînés vénérés et des proches aimés se dressent l’un contre l’autre, et pourtant chacun avance selon son vœu et son devoir, dans le rude code de la guerre.»
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣatriya ethic of steadfastness in duty: even when the opponent is a revered elder or beloved relative, warriors bound by vows and allegiance proceed without hesitation. It underscores the tragic moral complexity of dharma in war—right action is pursued within a framework that still entails sorrowful conflict.
Sañjaya narrates that Bhīṣma suddenly advances on the battlefield and comes face-to-face with Arjuna. Arjuna, seeing Bhīṣma approach, moves to meet him, setting the stage for a direct engagement between the grandsire and the foremost Pāṇḍava archer.