Shloka 396
भीष्मधनंजयद्वैरथम्
Bhīṣma–Dhanaṃjaya Duel and the Opening Clash
सिंहनादान् भृशं चक्र: शड्खान् दध्मुश्न मारिष । महाराज! उन दोनोंके रथोंमें श्वेत घोड़े जुते हुए थे। आर्य! उन्हें एक-दूसरेसे भिड़े हुए देख सब राजा जोर-जोरसे सिंहनाद करने और शंख फूँकने लगे
sa f1jaya uv01ca |
si han01d01n bh55ba 43 cakru 25 5ba 45kh01n dadhmu5b ca m01ri 63a |
mah01r01ja! tayor ubhayor rathayo 25 5bvet015bv01 yukt01 25 |01rya! tau paraspara 43 sa 43m 5b 63 6dau d5 63 6d01 sarve r01j01no balavad si han01da 43 cakru 25 5ba 45kh01 435b ca dadhmu 25 ||
Wahai yang mulia, mereka mengaumkan raungan singa yang dahsyat dan meniup sangkakala. Wahai Maharaja, kedua kereta itu ditarik kuda-kuda putih. Wahai bangsawan, melihat keduanya saling mengunci dalam benturan, semua raja berseru keras dengan raungan singa dan membunyikan sangkakala.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how collective resolve is stirred in a dharma-yuddha setting: martial sounds (lion-roars and conches) function as public declarations of readiness and duty, reinforcing kshatriya responsibility and rallying the community of rulers toward disciplined action.
Sanjaya reports to Dhritarashtra that, as two prominent chariots with white horses confront and press against each other, the surrounding kings respond by loudly roaring and blowing conches, intensifying the battlefield atmosphere and signaling the escalation of combat.