Adhyāya 111 (Book 6): Daśama-dina-saṃgrāma—Bhīṣma’s Counsel to Yudhiṣṭhira and the Śikhaṇḍin-Led Advance
संजय उवाच ततस्ते पाण्डवा:ः सर्वे सूर्यस्योदयनं प्रति । ताड्यमानासु भेरीषु मृदड्भेष्वानकेषु च,संजयने कहा--राजन्! तदनन्तर सूर्योदय होनेपर रणभेरियाँ बज उठीं, मृदंग और ढोल पीटे जाने लगे, दहीके समान श्वेतवर्णवाले शंख सब ओर बजाये जाने लगे। उस समय समस्त पाण्डव शिखण्डीको आगे करके युद्धके लिये शिविरसे बाहर निकले
sañjaya uvāca tataste pāṇḍavāḥ sarve sūryasyodayaṃ prati | tāḍyamānāsu bherīṣu mṛdaṅgeṣv ānakeṣu ca ||
Sañjaya berkata: Kemudian semua Pāṇḍava, menghadap ke arah terbitnya matahari, mara ke hadapan ketika gendang perang dipalu—kettledrum, mṛdaṅga dan segala alat bunyi pertempuran bergema. Pemandangan itu menandai permulaan tempur yang khidmat: bukan pertikaian peribadi, melainkan pertembungan terbuka yang tersusun, di mana dharma dan tekad diumumkan melalui bunyi-bunyian perang yang bersifat ritual.
संजय उवाच
The verse underscores disciplined, duty-bound warfare: action begins at an auspicious, public moment (sunrise) and is framed by formal martial signals. It reflects the Mahābhārata’s ethical tension—war is grievous, yet undertaken as a regulated kṣatriya obligation rather than impulsive violence.
Sañjaya reports that at sunrise the Pāṇḍavas move out as battle-instruments—bherīs, mṛdaṅgas, and ānakas—are struck. It sets the battlefield atmosphere and marks the organized start of the day’s engagement.