Mahabharata — Bhishma Parva, Shloka 7
Droṇa–Dhṛṣṭadyumna-yuddha (द्रोण-धृष्टद्युम्न-युद्धम्) — Tactical duel and allied interventions
ते मन: क्रूरमाधाय समभित्यक्तजीविता: । पाण्डवानभ्यवर्तन्त सर्व एवोच्छितध्वजा:,वे समस्त कौरव सैनिक अपने मनको कठोर बना प्राणोंकी बाजी लगाकर ऊँची ध्वजाएँ फहराते हुए पाण्डवोंपर धावा करने लगे
te manaḥ krūram ādhāya samabhityaktajīvitāḥ | pāṇḍavān abhyavartanta sarva evochchhitadhvajāḥ ||
Disse Sañjaya: Endurecendo o coração e apostando a própria vida, todos os guerreiros Kaurava avançaram contra os Pāṇḍava, com os estandartes erguidos bem alto.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how inner intention shapes action: when the mind is set in cruelty (krūra-manas), courage and readiness to die can become instruments of adharma. It invites reflection on the ethical quality of resolve—whether it serves duty and justice or merely intensifies violence.
Sañjaya reports that the Kaurava forces, fully committed and unafraid of death, advance in a massed assault against the Pāṇḍavas, with their standards flying—an image of organized, determined attack at a critical moment in the battle.