Adhyāya 78 — Bhīṣma’s Advance, Duryodhana’s Rally, and Concurrent Duels (भीष्मस्याभ्युद्यमः, दुर्योधनस्योत्साहवचनम्, विविधयुद्धवर्णनम्)
एवमुक्तस्तु पार्थेन धृष्टद्युम्नो महारथ: । व्यादिदेश महाराज रथिनो रथिनां वर:
evam uktas tu pārthena dhṛṣṭadyumno mahārathaḥ | vyādideśa mahārāja rathino rathināṁ varaḥ ||
महाराज! पार्थ के ऐसा कहने पर रथियों में श्रेष्ठ महारथी धृष्टद्युम्न ने रथियों को मकरव्यूह बनाने की आज्ञा दे दी।
संजय उवाच
The verse underscores disciplined execution of rightful command in a crisis: a leader must decide swiftly and responsibly, and trained warriors must coordinate under a clear chain of command—an aspect of kṣatriya-dharma in wartime.
After Pārtha (Arjuna) speaks, Dhṛṣṭadyumna, the Pāṇḍava commander, directs the chariot-warriors to arrange themselves in the Makara formation, indicating a tactical shift and organized preparation for battle.