Shloka 5
Bhīṣma’s Stuti of Keśava and Counsel on Nara–Nārāyaṇa (भीष्म-स्तवः; नरनारायण-प्रसङ्गः)
सा वाहिनी शान्तनवेन गुप्ता महारथैर्वरिणवाजिभिश्ष । बभौ सविद्युत्स्तनयित्नुकल्पा जलागमे द्यौरिव जातमेघा
sā vāhinī śāntanavena guptā mahārathair variṇa-vājibhiṣ ca | babhau sa-vidyut-stanayitnu-kalpā jalāgame dyaūr iva jāta-meghā ||
pīḍayanaṃ tu tat sainyaṃ pautraṃ tava viśām-pate | dṛṣṭvā tvadīyā rājendra samantāt paryavārayan ||
Sinabi ni Sañjaya: Ang napakalaking hukbo, na pinangangalagaan ni Śāntanava (Bhīṣma) at pinapaganda ng mga dakilang mandirigmang karwahe, mga elepante, at mga kabayo, ay nagningning na parang langit sa tag-ulan—nababalutan ng bagong buo na mga ulap, kumikislap sa kidlat at umuugong sa kulog. Ngunit nang makita ang apo mo na ginugulo at pinapahirapan ang hukbong iyon, O panginoon ng bayan, ang sarili mong mga kawal, O hari, ay pumaligid sa kanya mula sa lahat ng panig.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how martial splendor and disciplined protection (under Bhīṣma) must be matched by coordinated action: when a single powerful warrior threatens the host, the army responds collectively by encircling him—an ethical lesson in leadership, duty, and shared responsibility in crisis.
Sañjaya describes the Kaurava host as magnificent and well-guarded under Bhīṣma, likening it to a stormy monsoon sky. Then he reports that, seeing the king’s grandson (Abhimanyu) pressing the army hard, the king’s troops surround him from all sides.