Shloka 3
कन्याश्रन्दनचूर्णैश्न लाजैममाल्यैश्व सर्वश: । अवाकिर|ज्छान्तनवं तत्र गत्वा सहस्रश:
kanyāś candanacūrṇaiś ca lājair mālyaiś ca sarvaśaḥ | avākiran śāntanavaṃ tatra gatvā sahasraśaḥ ||
Sañjaya berkata: “Kemudian beribu-ribu gadis datang ke sana dan dari segenap arah menaburkan ke atas Bhīṣma Śāntanava persembahan yang membawa berkat—serbuk cendana, lājā (bijirin padi yang dipanggang), kalungan bunga dan bunga-bungaan—sebagai tanda hormat kepada sang tua yang mulia.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the cultural-ethical practice of honoring a revered elder and exemplar (Bhīṣma) through auspicious offerings, suggesting that respect and ritual propriety can persist even in the morally fraught setting of war.
Sañjaya narrates that thousands of maidens arrive and ceremonially shower Bhīṣma—Śāntanu’s son—with sandalwood powder, parched grains, garlands, and flowers, publicly venerating him.