Shloka 5
भीष्मपर्व — अध्याय ७२: सैन्यगुणवर्णनम्, व्यूहरक्षा, दैव-पुरुषकारचिन्ता
(अजातशत्रुः शत्रूणां मनांसि समकम्पयत् । श्येनवद् व्यूहय तं व्यूहं धौम्यस्य वचनात् स्वयम् ।।
sa niryayau mahārāja pitā devabratas tava | mahatā rathavaṃśena saṃvṛto rathināṃ varaḥ ||
संजय बोले—तत्पश्चात्, महाराज! रथियों में श्रेष्ठ आपके पिता देवव्रत, शान्तनुनन्दन भीष्म, विशाल रथ-समूह से घिरे हुए युद्ध के लिए निकल पड़े।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical weight of leadership in war: the army’s movement is anchored in a figure of established discipline and authority (Bhīṣma). Even amid violence, conduct is framed by duty (kṣatriya-dharma) and ordered action rather than mere impulse.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Bhīṣma (Devavrata), the foremost chariot-warrior and Kuru patriarch, rides out to battle, surrounded by a large chariot contingent—signaling the Kaurava host’s organized advance under his command.