Shloka 18
भीष्मस्य शरवर्षः — Bhīṣma’s Arrow-Storm and Kṛṣṇa’s Impulse to Intervene
भेरीमृदड़पणवान् नादयन्तश्न पुष्करान् । पाण्डवा अभ्यवर्तन्त नदन्तो भैरवान् रवान्
sañjaya uvāca | bherīmṛdaṅgapaṇavān nādayantaś ca puṣkarān | pāṇḍavā abhyavartanta nadanto bhairavān ravān ||
ଭେରୀ, ମୃଦଙ୍ଗ, ପଣବ ଓ ପୁଷ୍କର ଆଦି ବଜାଇ, ଭୟଙ୍କର ଗର୍ଜନ କରି ପାଣ୍ଡବମାନେ ଅଗ୍ରସର ହେଲେ।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights kṣatriya resolve and collective discipline: before combat, warriors marshal courage and unity through ordered signals (drums, cries). In the dharma-yuddha frame, such readiness is not mere aggression but the performance of duty with steadiness and purpose.
Sañjaya describes the Pāṇḍavas beginning their advance on the Kaurava forces. They sound multiple war-instruments and raise terrifying roars, expressing their determination to engage Bhīṣma and their desire for victory as the battle intensifies.