Shloka 226

भीष्मसेनासंनिवेशः — Bhīṣma’s Mobilization, Omens, and the Kaurava Array

Devanagari script

स्यन्दनैर्वरवर्माणो भीष्मस्यासन्‌ पुरोगमा: । श्रुतायुध

Transliteration

sañjaya uvāca | syandanair varavarmāṇo bhīṣmasyāsan purogamāḥ | śrutāyudhaś citrasenaḥ purumitraḥ viviṁśatiḥ śalyaḥ bhūriśravā tathā mahārathī vikarṇaḥ—ete sapta mahādhanurdharā vīrā rathoparī ārūḍhāḥ sundara-kavaca-dhāriṇaḥ droṇaputram aśvatthāmānam ātmanaḥ purataḥ kṛtvā bhīṣmasya purastāt purastāc ceruḥ ||

Translation

ସଞ୍ଜୟ କହିଲେ—ଭୀଷ୍ମଙ୍କ ଆଗରେ ଶ୍ରେଷ୍ଠ କବଚଧାରୀ ରଥାରୂଢ ବୀରମାନେ ଅଗ୍ରଗାମୀ ଥିଲେ। ଶ୍ରୁତାୟୁଧ, ଚିତ୍ରସେନ, ପୁରୁମିତ୍ର, ବିବିଂଶତି, ଶଲ୍ୟ, ଭୂରିଶ୍ରବା ଏବଂ ମହାରଥୀ ବିକର୍ଣ୍ଣ—ଏହି ସାତ ମହାଧନୁର୍ଧର ରଥସ୍ଥ ହୋଇ, ଦ୍ରୋଣପୁତ୍ର ଅଶ୍ୱତ୍ଥାମାଙ୍କୁ ନିଜମାନଙ୍କ ଆଗରେ ରଖି, ଭୀଷ୍ମଙ୍କ ଅଗ୍ରଭାଗରେ ଅଗ୍ରସର ହେଉଥିଲେ।

Word by Word

• स्यन्दनैः: with chariots
• स्यन्दनैः: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्यन्दन
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Plural

• वरवर्माणः: wearers of excellent armor
• वरवर्माणः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: वरवर्मन्
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• भीष्मस्य: of Bhishma
• भीष्मस्य: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: भीष्म
• Form: Masculine, Genitive, Singular

• आसन्: were
• आसन्: Karta
• Type: Verb
• Root: अस्
• Form: Imperfect, 3rd, Plural

• पुरोगमाः: going in front; vanguard
• पुरोगमाः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पुरोगम
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sanjaya
• Bhishma
• Shrutayudha
• Chitrasena
• Purumitra
• Vivimshati
• Shalya
• Bhurishravas
• Vikarna
• Ashvatthama
• chariots
• armor (kavaca/varman)
• bows (implied by mahādhanurdhara)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights the ethics of martial order: honoring senior command (Bhishma) while arranging capable protectors and forward fighters. It reflects kshatriya discipline—strategy, protection of leaders, and coordinated action rather than impulsive violence.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sanjaya describes a Kaurava advance: seven renowned chariot-warriors in fine armor ride ahead of Bhishma as a vanguard, with Ashvatthama positioned prominently at the front, indicating a deliberate battle formation and the prominence of key fighters.