Shloka 9
विबभौ च नृपाणां सा गंगासुतमुपासताम् । देवानामिव देवेशं पितामहमुपासताम्,गंगानन्दन भीष्मके पास बैठी हुई राजाओंकी वह मण्डली देवेश्वर ब्रह्माजीकी उपासना करनेवाले देवताओंके समान सुशोभित हो रही थी
vibabhau ca nṛpāṇāṃ sā gaṅgāsutam upāsatām | devānām iva deveśaṃ pitāmaham upāsatām ||
Sañjaya said: That assembly of kings, seated in attendance upon Bhīṣma, the son of the Gaṅgā, shone with splendor—like the gods who, in reverent worship, attend upon the Lord of the gods, the Grandsire (Brahmā). The verse frames Bhīṣma as a moral and strategic center whose presence draws disciplined reverence even amid the impending violence of war.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical power of rightful authority and seniority: when a figure embodies discipline, experience, and dharma (here, Bhīṣma), even rulers naturally adopt humility and orderly reverence. It suggests that moral stature can create harmony and focus in a tense, conflict-driven setting.
Sañjaya describes the Kuru kings gathered around Bhīṣma, attending upon him. Their assembly appears radiant, and the scene is elevated through a simile: just as gods attend upon Brahmā, so the kings attend upon Bhīṣma, implying his central command and revered status at this stage of the war.