Shloka 15
भीष्मस्य मण्डलव्यूहः — Bhīṣma’s Maṇḍala Battle-Formation and the Opening Engagements
अस्मान् वा त्वं पराजित्य यशः प्राप्रुहि संयुगे । वयं वा त्वां पराजित्य प्रीतिं धास्यामहे पितु:,'या तो तुम युद्धमें हमें पराजित करके यश प्राप्त करो अथवा हम तुम्हें परास्त करके पिताकी प्रसन्नता बढ़ायेंगे”
asmān vā tvaṃ parājitya yaśaḥ prāpruhi saṃyuge | vayaṃ vā tvāṃ parājitya prītiṃ dhāsyāmahe pituḥ ||
Sañjaya said: “Either you may defeat us in battle and win glory, or we may defeat you and thereby increase our father’s satisfaction. In this contest, each side frames victory as a duty—glory for the warrior, and filial approval for the sons.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights two accepted warrior-motives within kṣatriya ethics: seeking honorable fame through victory, and acting to secure a father’s approval. It frames battle as a field where duty and reputation are publicly tested.
Sañjaya reports a challenge-like sentiment expressed in the war context: either the opponent defeats ‘us’ and gains renown, or ‘we’ defeat the opponent and thereby please our father. The line underscores the competitive resolve and the moral justifications each side invokes.