Shloka 8
सौभटद्रे भीमसेने च सात्यकौ च महारथे । कैकेये च विराटे च धृष्टद्युम्ने च पार्षते,इस प्रकार युद्ध आरम्भ हो जानेपर भयंकर पराक्रमी एवं कुरुकुलके प्रभावशाली वृद्ध पितामह महाबाहु भीष्म धनुष उठाये कवच बाँधे सहसा आगे बढ़े और अभिमन्यु, भीमसेन, महारथी सात्यकि, केकय, विराट एवं ट्रुपदकुमार धृष्टद्युम्न--इन सब नरवीरोंपर और चेदि तथा मत्स्यदेशीय योद्धाओंपर बाणोंकी वर्षा करने लगे
saubhadre bhīmasene ca sātyakau ca mahārathe | kaikeye ca virāṭe ca dhṛṣṭadyumne ca pārṣate ||
सौभटद्रे भीमसेने च सात्यकौ च महारथे। कैकेये च विराटे च धृष्टद्युम्ने च पार्षते॥
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights kshatriya-dharma in its stark form: once battle is joined, a commander must act decisively and without hesitation, even against renowned heroes. It also implicitly raises the ethical tension of war—duty and loyalty driving violence—setting the stage for reflection on righteous conduct amid destruction.
As the fighting begins, Bhishma advances fully armed and targets key Pandava-aligned champions—Abhimanyu, Bhima, Satyaki, the Kekaya warrior, Virata, and Dhrishtadyumna—while also striking Chedi and Matsya troops, unleashing a heavy barrage of arrows to assert Kuru momentum.