Shloka 9
Bhīṣma-parva Adhyāya 16 — Saṃjaya’s Boon, Bhīṣma’s Protection, and the Dawn Arraying of Armies
धनुर्भिऋकष्टिभि: खड्गैर्गदाभि: शक्तितोमरै: । योधा: प्रहरणै: शुभ्रैस्तेष्वनीकेष्ववस्थिता:,आपकी सेनाके सैनिक धनुष, खड्ग, ऋष्टि, गदा, शक्ति और तोमर आदि चमकीले अस्त्र-शस्त्र लेकर उन सेनाओंमें खड़े थे
dhanurbhir ṛṣṭibhiḥ khaḍgair gadābhiḥ śaktitomaraiḥ | yodhāḥ praharaṇaiḥ śubhrair teṣv anīkeṣv avasthitāḥ ||
三阇耶说道：诸勇士列阵于诸军阵之中，执持光耀兵器——弓、矛、剑、钺槌，以及「室迦底」投枪与「多摩罗」标枪等飞掷之具——静候将临之冲突；那一战将考验意志、纪律，并在战场上拷问达摩之名分。
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores disciplined preparedness in a dharmic conflict: warriors are not depicted as chaotic aggressors but as ordered forces, equipped and stationed—highlighting the Mahabharata’s recurring tension between martial duty (kṣatriya-dharma) and the moral weight of violence.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that the fighters in the opposing arrays are already positioned, holding gleaming weapons of multiple kinds, indicating that the battle is imminent and the formations are set.