Shloka 5
कुरुक्षेत्रे सेनानिवेशवृत्तान्तः — Dhṛtarāṣṭra Questions Saṃjaya on the Deployed Armies
किमब्रवीन्महाबाहु: सर्वशस्त्रभूतां वर: । भीमसेनार्जुनौ वापि कृष्णो वा प्रत्यभाषत
janamejaya uvāca | kim abravīn mahābāhuḥ sarvaśastrabhūtāṁ varaḥ | bhīmasenārjunau vāpi kṛṣṇo vā pratyabhāṣata ||
阇那美阇耶问道：“闻恒河之子毗湿摩——臂力雄伟、诸持兵者之最胜——已在那可怖而令人心潮震荡的‘战祭’中受持长久誓愿之后，臂力无双的坚战（Yudhiṣṭhira）说了什么？毗摩与阿周那说了什么？而主宰奎师那又如何宣示其裁断？”
जनमेजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames an ethical inquiry: when a supremely formidable elder-warrior (Bhīṣma) commits himself to a prolonged martial vow, how should righteous leaders respond—emotionally, strategically, and in terms of dharma. It highlights that decisions in war are not merely tactical; they require moral deliberation and wise counsel.
Janamejaya asks Vaiśaṃpāyana to report the reactions of the Pāṇḍava side—especially Yudhiṣṭhira, along with Bhīma and Arjuna—and also Kṛṣṇa’s assessment, upon hearing that Bhīṣma has undertaken a long-term resolve in the impending/ongoing great conflict.