Shloka 26
Arjuna–Bhīṣma Strategic Engagement and Mutual Arrow-Interdiction (भीष्मार्जुनसमागमः)
ततस्ते पार्थिवा: सर्वे प्रगुहीतशरासना: । सहसैन्या: समापेतु: पुत्रस्य तव शासनात्,तदनन्तर आपके पुत्र दुर्योधनकी आज्ञासे अन्य सब राजा भी हाथमें धनुष-बाण लिये सेनाओंसहित वहाँ आ पहुँचे
tatas te pārthivāḥ sarve pragṛhīta-śarāsanāḥ | saha-sainyāḥ samāpetuḥ putrasya tava śāsanāt ||
Sañjaya thưa: Rồi theo lệnh của con trai bệ hạ, tất cả các vua chúa ấy—tay cầm cung, vũ khí đã sẵn—đều kéo đến nơi đó cùng một lúc, mỗi người dẫn theo quân đội của mình.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how command and loyalty can rapidly mobilize violence: rulers, bound by allegiance or ambition, assemble armed forces at a single order. Ethically, it points to the danger of unexamined obedience when leadership is driven by adharma, and how collective responsibility forms in war.
Sanjaya reports to Dhritarashtra that, following Duryodhana’s instruction, the allied kings arrive at the battlefield with bows ready and with their troops, indicating the consolidation of the Kaurava side’s military strength just before major engagements.