Shloka 81
गौरुडव्यूह-रचना तथा अर्धचन्द्र-प्रत्यव्यूह
Garuḍa Array and the Ardhacandra Counter-Formation
कालदण्डोपमां घोरां मृत्योर्जिद्वामिव श्वसन् । अब्रवीच्च तदा श्वेतो भीष्मं शान्तनवं रणे
kāladaṇḍopamāṃ ghorāṃ mṛtyor jidvām iva śvasan | abravīc ca tadā śveto bhīṣmaṃ śāntanavaṃ raṇe ||
Sinabi ni Sañjaya: Noon, si Śveta, hingal na hingal, ay itinaas ang kakila-kilabot na sandatang iyon—nakapangingilabot na gaya ng tungkod ng parusa ni Yama at wari’y mismong dila ng Kamatayan—at sa larangan ng digmaan ay nagsalita kay Bhīṣma, anak ni Śāntanu.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse uses the imagery of Time’s rod and Death’s tongue to remind that even heroic action in war unfolds under the sovereignty of Kāla (Time) and the inevitability of death; ethical reflection is urged amid martial fervor.
Sañjaya narrates that Śveta, panting with intensity, raises a fearsome weapon and speaks directly to Bhīṣma on the battlefield, signaling an imminent confrontation.