Shloka 9
भीष्मपर्व — अध्याय 18: सेनानिनादः, ध्वज-दीप्तिः, भीष्मरक्षण-व्यवस्था च
Battle Muster: Soundscape, Banners, and the Protection of Bhīṣma
कुरुयोधवरा राजन् विचित्रायुधकार्मुका: । उद्यतैरायुधैश्ित्रैस्तलबद्धा: पताकिन:
sañjaya uvāca | kuru-yodhavarā rājan vicitrāyudha-kārmukāḥ | udyatair āyudhaiś citrais tala-baddhāḥ patākinaḥ ||
Sañjaya berkata: Wahai Raja, para pahlawan terunggul kaum Kuru, memegang senjata-senjata menakjubkan dan busur, berdiri dengan gemilang. Pelbagai senjata mereka diangkat tinggi, tangan mereka diikat dengan tali pelindung, dan panji-panji berkibar megah di angkasa—gambaran kebanggaan kepahlawanan serta tekad yang menggetarkan dari bala Kaurava tatkala perang hampir bermula.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the outward splendor and preparedness of warriors at the threshold of war, hinting that martial glory can accompany grave moral consequences; it frames the battlefield as a place where kṣatriya valor is displayed even as dharma will be tested by the coming violence.
Sañjaya describes to King Dhṛtarāṣṭra the Kaurava-side elite warriors standing ready: their weapons are raised, their hands are secured for combat, and their banners fly—signaling that the armies are poised for the battle to commence.