Shloka 19
भीष्मसेनासंनिवेशः — Bhīṣma’s Mobilization, Omens, and the Kaurava Array
ये त्वदीया महेष्वासा राजानो भरतर्षभ | अवर्तन्त यथादेशं राजज्शान्तनवस्य ते,भरतश्रेष्ठी] महाराज! आपकी सेनाके समस्त महाधनुर्धर भूपाल सेनापति भीष्मकी आज्ञाके अनुसार चलते थे
ye tvadīyā maheṣvāsā rājāno bharatarṣabha | avartanta yathādeśaṃ rājñaḥ śāṃtanavasya te ||
Sañjaya berkata: “Wahai banteng kaum Bharata, raja-raja di pihakmu—semuanya pemanah perkasa—bergerak dan bertindak tepat menurut titah raja Śāṃtanava (Bhīṣma).”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical and practical importance of disciplined adherence to legitimate command in a collective endeavor—here, the Kaurava army’s cohesion depends on kings subordinating personal will to Bhīṣma’s orders.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that the allied kings fighting for the Kauravas, renowned as great archers, are operating in strict accordance with Bhīṣma’s directives, indicating Bhīṣma’s effective leadership over the host.