Shloka 18
भीष्मसेनासंनिवेशः — Bhīṣma’s Mobilization, Omens, and the Kaurava Array
तालेन महता भीष्म: पञ्चतारेण केतुना । विमलादित्यसंकाशस्तस्थौ कुरुचमूपरि
tālena mahatā bhīṣmaḥ pañcatāreṇa ketunā | vimalādityasaṅkāśas tasthau kurucamūpari ||
三阇耶说道：毗湿摩立于俱卢大军之上；其战车饰以巨大的棕榈徽记，旗幡上绘有五颗星。其光辉如无垢之日，显现为俱卢族（考罗婆）军的首席统帅，立于大战门槛之前。
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical weight of role-duty (svadharma) in a war setting: Bhīṣma, as the appointed commander, embodies steadiness, authority, and readiness to bear responsibility. The sun-like radiance and prominent emblems underscore how leadership is publicly signified and how a commander’s presence shapes the morale and order of an army.
Sañjaya narrates to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Bhīṣma has taken his position over the Kuru forces, seated/standing on his chariot distinguished by a great palm emblem and a five-star banner. He appears brilliantly radiant, marking him as the principal सेनापति (chief commander) of the Kaurava army as the battle is about to proceed.