भीष्मस्य शरवर्षः — Bhīṣma’s Arrow-Storm and Kṛṣṇa’s Impulse to Intervene
तावकास्तु रणे यत्ता: सहसेना नराधिपा:
sañjaya uvāca | tāvakās tu raṇe yattāḥ sahasenā narādhipāḥ | rājan! bhīṣmam agre kṛtvā pāṇḍavān abhyadhāvayan | naraśreṣṭha! tathā bhīmasenādayo 'pi pāṇḍavāḥ tava senām abhyakrāman ||
三阇耶说道:大王啊,你方诸侯各率本部兵众,整肃待战,以毗湿摩为前锋,猛然冲向般度五子。至高的君王啊,同样地,毗摩塞那与其余般度诸子也向你的军阵发起了进攻。
संजय उवाच
The verse highlights how allegiance and perceived duty propel both sides into action: leadership (Bhishma at the front) galvanizes troops, while the opposing side responds in kind. Ethically, it frames war as a reciprocal escalation driven by commitment to one’s cause and commander, setting the stage for later reflections on dharma and responsibility.
Sanjaya reports to Dhritarashtra that the Kaurava kings, with their forces, advanced against the Pandavas with Bhishma leading. Immediately, Bhima and the other Pandavas counter-advanced and attacked the Kaurava army, marking a synchronized onset of battle.