Shloka 3
Arjuna’s Surrender and Kṛṣṇa’s Instruction on the Imperishable Self, Svadharma, and Karma-Yoga
Bhīṣma-parva 24.0
कस्य सेनासमुदये गन्धमाल्यसमुद्धव: । वाच: प्रदक्षिणाश्वैव योधानामभिगर्जताम्
dhṛtarāṣṭra uvāca | kasya senāsamudaye gandhamālyasamudbhavaḥ | vācaḥ pradakṣiṇāś caiva yodhānām abhigarjatām |
“किसकी सेना के समवाय में सुगन्ध और पुष्पमालाओं का प्रादुर्भाव हुआ? और किस पक्ष के गर्जते हुए योद्धाओं की वाणी शुभ, दक्षिणावर्त तथा उत्साह-पराक्रम सूचक थी?”
धृतराष्ट उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how leaders seek signs (omens) to judge the moral and psychological momentum of a conflict. It implicitly contrasts mere power with auspiciousness—suggesting that righteousness, confidence, and inner alignment are perceived as indicators of success, not only numbers or weapons.
Dhṛtarāṣṭra questions Sañjaya about the battlefield atmosphere: in which army’s gathering auspicious signs like fragrant flower-garlands appeared, and on which side the warriors’ loud cries sounded favorable (pradakṣiṇa), indicating heightened morale and a promising portent.