Shloka 8
सा पार्थिवशताकीर्णा समितिर्भीष्मशोभिता । शुशुभे भारती दीप्ता दिवीवादित्यमण्डलम्
sā pārthivaśatākīrṇā samitir bhīṣmaśobhitā | śuśubhe bhāratī dīptā divīvādityamaṇḍalam ||
Sañjaya berkata: Perhimpunan di medan perang itu, dipenuhi ratusan raja dan diserikan oleh kehadiran Bhīṣma, bersinar dengan kemuliaan kaum Bhārata—laksana cakera matahari yang menyala di langit—di atas gelanggang perang.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how a community’s perceived legitimacy and strength are amplified by eminent leadership (Bhīṣma) and unified royal support, creating an aura of grandeur; ethically, it also hints at the unsettling contrast between outward splendor and the inner cost of war.
Sañjaya is describing to Dhṛtarāṣṭra the Kuru battle formation/assembly: it is packed with many kings and appears especially magnificent because Bhīṣma stands at its center, shining like the sun’s disk in the sky.