Shloka 17
भीष्मस्य शरवर्षः — Bhīṣma’s Arrow-Storm and Kṛṣṇa’s Impulse to Intervene
भीष्म योद्धुमभीप्सन्त: संग्रामे विजयैषिण: । क्ष्वेडा: किलकिला: शड्खान् क्रकचान् गोविषाणिका:,संग्राममें भीष्मके साथ युद्धकी इच्छा रखनेवाले विजयाभिलाषी पाण्डव सिंहनाद, किल-किल शब्द, शंखध्वनि, क्रकच, गोशूंग, भेरी, मृदंग, पणव तथा पुष्कर आदि बाजोंको बजाते तथा भैरव-गर्जना करते हुए कौरव-सेनापर चढ़ आये
sañjaya uvāca | bhīṣmaṃ yoddhum abhīpsantaḥ saṅgrāme vijayaiṣiṇaḥ | kṣveḍāḥ kilakilāḥ śaṅkhān krakacān govīṣāṇikāḥ |
サンジャヤは言った。「戦場でビシュマと刃を交えんと望み、勝利を求めるパーンダヴァたちは、カウラヴァ軍へと進み出た。獅子の咆哮と鋭い鬨の声をあげ、法螺貝やさまざまな軍楽器を鳴らして、恐るべき轟きを起こし、己が決意を示して敵陣に挑んだ。」
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical psychology of war in the epic: warriors publicly declare intent and courage through disciplined, collective signals (roars, conches, instruments). Such sounds are not mere noise; they function as vows of resolve, rallying one’s side and warning the opponent—underscoring responsibility, leadership, and steadfastness in a dharma-framed conflict.
Sañjaya describes the Pāṇḍavas, eager to engage Bhīṣma and seeking victory, advancing upon the Kaurava forces while producing a great martial uproar—lion-roars, sharp cries, and the sounding of conches and other war-instruments—signaling the onset of fierce engagement.