Shloka 2
भीष्म–रामजामदग्न्ययुद्धप्रस्थानवर्णनम्
Bhishma’s Account of Parashurama’s Challenge and the March to Kurukshetra
सस््नातापवृत्तैस्तुरगैर्लब्धतोयैरविद्वलै: । प्रभाते चोदिते सूर्य ततो युद्धमवर्तत
snātāpavṛttais turagair labdhato yair avidvalaiḥ | prabhāte codite sūrye tato yuddham avartata ||
Bhīṣma dit : Lorsque les chevaux eurent été menés au pas et roulés comme pour être baignés, puis abreuvés—ainsi ragaillardis et délivrés de leur peine—à l’aube, quand le soleil se leva, le combat recommença.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in the harsh setting of war, conduct is governed by order and responsibility: one prepares properly, tends to dependents (here, the horses), and only then undertakes one’s duty. The verse hints at restraint and discipline rather than chaotic violence.
After tending to the horses—walking them, letting them roll to clean and soothe themselves, and giving them water—once they are refreshed, the warriors resume fighting at sunrise.