Shloka 23

Bhīṣma-parva Adhyāya 16 — Saṃjaya’s Boon, Bhīṣma’s Protection, and the Dawn Arraying of Armies

Devanagari script

हेमतालध्वजं भीष्म॑ राजते स्यन्दने स्थितम्‌ | श्वेताभ्र इव तीक्ष्णांशुं ददृशु: कुरुपाण्डवा:

Transliteration

hemataladhvajaṃ bhīṣmaṃ rājate syandane sthitam | śvetābhra iva tīkṣṇāṃśuṃ dadṛśuḥ kuru-pāṇḍavāḥ ||

Translation

சஞ்சயன் கூறினான்—பொன் தாளச் சின்னம் பொலிந்த கொடியுடன் தேரில் நின்ற பீஷ்மர் ஒளிவீசினார். கௌரவரும் பாண்டவரும் அவரை வெண்மேகங்களிடையே வெளிப்படும் கூர்கதிர் சூரியனைப் போலக் கண்டனர்.

Word by Word

हेमतालध्वजम्the chariot-banner (standard) of golden palm-tree

भीष्मःBhishma

राजतेshines, is resplendent

स्यन्दनेin the chariot

स्थितम्standing, stationed

श्वेताभ्रःa white cloud

इवlike, as

तीक्ष्णांशुम्the sharp-rayed (sun)

ददृशुःsaw

कुरुपाण्डवाःthe Kurus and the Pandavas

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

Sañjaya

Bhīṣma

Kurus

Pāṇḍavas

chariot (syandana)

banner/standard (dhvaja)

golden palm-tree emblem (hematāla)

sun (tīkṣṇāṃśu)

white clouds (śvetābhra)

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

War Context

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Geographic Context

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights how moral stature and martial responsibility can make a leader’s presence overwhelming to all sides. Bhīṣma’s radiance symbolizes authority earned through vows and duty, reminding readers that in dharmic conflict, personal greatness can inspire awe even amid tragic necessity.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Bhīṣma stands on his chariot with a brilliant banner, and both armies—Kuru and Pāṇḍava—watch him. The simile of the sun amid white clouds emphasizes Bhīṣma’s striking visibility and the moment’s heightened tension as battle leadership becomes manifest.