Shloka 17
भीष्मस्य शरवर्षः — Bhīṣma’s Arrow-Storm and Kṛṣṇa’s Impulse to Intervene
भीष्म योद्धुमभीप्सन्त: संग्रामे विजयैषिण: । क्ष्वेडा: किलकिला: शड्खान् क्रकचान् गोविषाणिका:
sañjaya uvāca | bhīṣmaṃ yoddhum abhīpsantaḥ saṅgrāme vijayaiṣiṇaḥ | kṣveḍāḥ kilakilāḥ śaṅkhān krakacān govīṣāṇikāḥ |
ਸੰਗ੍ਰਾਮ ਵਿੱਚ ਭੀਸ਼ਮ ਨਾਲ ਯੁੱਧ ਕਰਨ ਦੀ ਲਾਲਸਾ ਰੱਖਣ ਵਾਲੇ ਅਤੇ ਜਿੱਤ ਦੇ ਇੱਛੁਕ ਪਾਂਡਵ ਖ਼੍ਵੈਡ ਤੇ ਕਿਲਕਿਲ ਦੇ ਨਾਦ ਕਰਦੇ, ਸ਼ੰਖ, ਕਰਕਚ ਅਤੇ ਗੋਵਿਸ਼ਾਣ ਆਦਿ ਜੰਗੀ ਵਾਜੇ ਵਜਾਉਂਦੇ ਅੱਗੇ ਵਧੇ।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical psychology of war in the epic: warriors publicly declare intent and courage through disciplined, collective signals (roars, conches, instruments). Such sounds are not mere noise; they function as vows of resolve, rallying one’s side and warning the opponent—underscoring responsibility, leadership, and steadfastness in a dharma-framed conflict.
Sañjaya describes the Pāṇḍavas, eager to engage Bhīṣma and seeking victory, advancing upon the Kaurava forces while producing a great martial uproar—lion-roars, sharp cries, and the sounding of conches and other war-instruments—signaling the onset of fierce engagement.