Shloka 9
Sainyavinyāsa–Lakṣaṇa (Disposition of Armies and Battlefield Omens) | सैन्यविन्यास–लक्षणम्
भीष्मो5ग्रत: सर्वसैन्यस्य वृद्ध: श्वेतच्छत्र: श्वेतधनु: सखड्गः । श्वेतोष्णीष: पाण्डुरेण ध्वजेन श्वेतैरश्वेः श्वेतशैलप्रकाशै:
sañjaya uvāca | bhīṣmo 'grataḥ sarvasainyasya vṛddhaḥ śvetacchatraḥ śvetadhanuḥ sakhadgaḥ | śvetoṣṇīṣaḥ pāṇḍureṇa dhvajena śvetair aśvaiḥ śvetaśailaprakāśaiḥ ||
Sañjaya berkata: Di barisan paling hadapan seluruh angkatan berdirilah Bhīṣma yang telah lanjut usia. Dirinya ditandai oleh warna putih—payungnya, busurnya, dan pedangnya; serban putih di kepalanya; panji pucat di atasnya; serta kuda-kuda putih yang berkilau laksana gunung salju. Pemandangan ini menampilkan Bhīṣma sebagai sesepuh yang dihormati memimpin bala Kaurava; rupa yang tegas lagi bercahaya menegaskan beratnya perang dan beban moral seorang tua yang terikat pada dharma, meski di tengah pertikaian yang tragis.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical tension of dharma in war: an aged, revered elder leads the army not from personal desire but from obligation and role. Bhīṣma’s luminous, austere imagery suggests purity of vow and discipline, while also intensifying the tragedy that such virtue is drawn into destructive conflict.
Sañjaya narrates to Dhṛtarāṣṭra the battlefield arrangement, focusing on Bhīṣma at the head of the Kaurava forces. He describes Bhīṣma’s striking white insignia—parasol, weapons, turban, banner, and snow-bright horses—emphasizing his prominence and commanding presence.