Shloka 6
भीष्म-द्रोणादिभिः पाण्डवसेनाक्षयकाल-निर्णयः | Time-estimates for the depletion of the Pāṇḍava forces
Bhīṣma–Droṇa council
अश्वृत्थामा शान्तनव: सैन्धवो5थ जयद्रथ: । दाक्षिणात्या: प्रतीच्याश्न पर्वतीयाश्व ये नृपा:
Vaiśampāyana uvāca: Aśvatthāmā Śāntanavaḥ Saindhavo 'tha Jayadrathaḥ | Dākṣiṇātyāḥ pratīcyāś ca parvatīyāś ca ye nṛpāḥ ||
Sinabi ni Vaiśampāyana: Si Aśvatthāmā, ang Śāntanava (Bhīṣma), ang Saindhava (Jayadratha), at si Jayadratha rin; kasama ang mga hari ng timog, kanluran, at mga lupain sa kabundukan—ang mga pinunong ito, bawat isa’y may sariling hukbo, ay sumulong na nakaayos sa hanay ng digmaan, bilang ikalawang pangkat, at pinalibutan ang dakilang mandirigmang karwahe na si Bhīṣma sa lahat ng panig.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how collective action in war is built from regional alliances and personal bonds; ethically, it points to the tension between kṣatriya obligation to one’s side and the risk of losing moral discernment when individuals become merely parts of a larger war-formation.
A roster of major warriors and regional kings is being named as they advance with their troops in a coordinated formation, surrounding Bhīṣma as a central figure and constituting a distinct military division in the unfolding preparations for conflict.