Shloka 11
Chapter 47: Krauñca-vyūha Deployment and Conch-Signals
Kaurava–Pāṇḍava Readiness
ततो युधिष्ठिरो दृष्टवा युद्धाय समवस्थिते । ते सेने सागरप्रख्ये मुहुः प्रचलिते नूप,राजन! तदनन्तर वीर राजा युधिष्ठिरने समुद्रके समान उन दोनों सेनाओंको युद्धके लिये उपस्थित और चंचल हुई देख कवच खोलकर अपने उत्तम आयुधोंको नीचे डाल दिया और रथसे शीघ्र उतरकर वे पैदल ही हाथ जोड़े पितामह भीष्मको लक्ष्य करके चल दिये। धर्मराज युधिष्छिर मौन एवं पूर्वाभिमुख हो शत्रुसेनाकी ओर चले गये
tato yudhiṣṭhiro dṛṣṭvā yuddhāya samavasthite | te sene sāgaraprakhye muhuḥ pracalite nṛpa rājann | tadanantaraṃ vīra-rājā yudhiṣṭhiraḥ samudraka-same ubhe sene yuddhāya upasthite cañcale ca dṛṣṭvā kavacaṃ mocayitvā svāni varāyudhāni adhaḥ nikṣipya rathāt śīghram avaruhya sa pādābhyām eva añjaliṃ kṛtvā pitāmaha-bhīṣmaṃ lakṣya kṛtvā calitaḥ | dharmarājo yudhiṣṭhiraḥ maunaḥ pūrvābhimukhaḥ śatru-senāṃ prati jagāma |
Sañjaya said: Then Yudhiṣṭhira, seeing the armies drawn up for battle—those two forces vast as the ocean and repeatedly surging with restless movement—did something striking, O king. The heroic ruler removed his armor, laid down his excellent weapons, quickly descended from his chariot, and, with hands joined in reverence, walked on foot toward Grandsire Bhīṣma. Silent and facing east, Dharmarāja Yudhiṣṭhira proceeded toward the enemy host—an ethical gesture of humility and duty even at the threshold of war.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in a righteous war, dharma requires humility and respect: Yudhiṣṭhira lays aside armor and weapons and approaches the elder Bhīṣma with folded hands, showing that ethical conduct and reverence do not cease at the onset of conflict.
As the two vast armies stand ready and churn with movement, Yudhiṣṭhira dismounts, removes his armor, sets down his weapons, and walks silently toward the opposing side to address Grandsire Bhīṣma—an intentional pause before battle to seek proper conduct and/or blessings.