Shloka 9
Arjuna’s Advance toward Bhīṣma; The Gāṇḍīva’s Signal and the Armies’ Convergence (भीष्माभिमुखगमनम् — गाण्डीवनिर्घोष-ध्वजवर्णनम्)
आरुरोह रथश्रेष्ठ विशोक॑ चेदमब्रवीत् । तब महाबली महाबाहु भीमसेन अपने श्रेष्ठ रथपर आरूढ़ हो गये और सारथि विशोकसे इस प्रकार बोले-- ।। ८ ई ।। एते महारथा: शूरा धार्तराष्ट्राः: समागता:
āruroha rathaśreṣṭhaṃ viśokaś cedam abravīt | tataḥ mahābalī mahābāhuḥ bhīmasenaḥ svayaṃ śreṣṭhe rathopari ārūḍho ’bhavat, sārathiṃ viśokam iti hovāca | ete mahārathāḥ śūrā dhārtarāṣṭrāḥ samāgatāḥ ||
Sañjaya said: Bhīmasena, the mighty-armed hero of great strength, mounted his excellent chariot and then addressed his charioteer Viśoka in these words: “Here have assembled the valiant great chariot-warriors of Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s party.” The moment frames the ethical tension of war: the recognition of formidable opponents and the resolve to meet them in battle, with clear awareness rather than blind rage.
संजय उवाच