Shloka 2
भीष्म-द्रोणादिभिः पाण्डवसेनाक्षयकाल-निर्णयः | Time-estimates for the depletion of the Pāṇḍava forces
Bhīṣma–Droṇa council
आप्लाव्य शुचय: सर्वे स्रग्विण: शुक्लवासस: । गृहीतशस्त्रा ध्वजिन: स्वस्ति वाच्य हुताग्नय:,चलनेके पहले उन सबने स्नान करके शुद्ध हो श्वेत वस्त्र धारण किये, पुष्पोंकी मालाएँ पहनीं, ब्राह्मणोंसे स्वस्तिवाचन कराया, अग्निमें आहुतियाँ दीं, फिर ध्वजा फहराते हुए हाथोंमें अस्त्र-शस्त्र लेकर रणभूमिकी ओर प्रस्थित हुए
āplāvya śucayaḥ sarve sragviṇaḥ śuklavāsasaḥ | gṛhītaśastrā dhvajinaḥ svasti vācya hutāgnayaḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana disse: Tendo-se banhado e purificado, todos vestiram roupas brancas e usaram guirlandas. Depois de fazerem os brāhmaṇas recitarem bênçãos auspiciosas e de oferecerem oblações ao fogo sagrado, partiram para o campo de batalha—com os estandartes erguidos e as armas nas mãos.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores that major actions—especially violent ones—are framed within ritual order: purification, auspicious benedictions, and fire-offerings seek to align human intent with dharma and communal legitimacy, even as the narrative moves toward conflict.
A group prepares to depart for battle: they bathe, dress in white, wear garlands, arrange for brāhmaṇas to recite blessings, offer oblations into the fire, then march out with banners raised and weapons taken up.