Adhyāya 78 — Bhīṣma’s Advance, Duryodhana’s Rally, and Concurrent Duels (भीष्मस्याभ्युद्यमः, दुर्योधनस्योत्साहवचनम्, विविधयुद्धवर्णनम्)
एवमुक्तस्तु पार्थेन धृष्टद्युम्नो महारथ: । व्यादिदेश महाराज रथिनो रथिनां वर:
evam uktas tu pārthena dhṛṣṭadyumno mahārathaḥ | vyādideśa mahārāja rathino rathināṁ varaḥ ||
Sañjaya berkata: Setelah diseru oleh Pārtha, Dhṛṣṭadyumna sang maharathi—yang terunggul antara para pahlawan berkereta—mengeluarkan perintah, wahai Raja, kepada para pejuang kereta untuk membentuk susunan Makara.
संजय उवाच
The verse underscores disciplined execution of rightful command in a crisis: a leader must decide swiftly and responsibly, and trained warriors must coordinate under a clear chain of command—an aspect of kṣatriya-dharma in wartime.
After Pārtha (Arjuna) speaks, Dhṛṣṭadyumna, the Pāṇḍava commander, directs the chariot-warriors to arrange themselves in the Makara formation, indicating a tactical shift and organized preparation for battle.