Chapter 1: Arjuna Viṣhāda Yoga – Transforming Grief into Yoga / Verse 17

How well Sanjaya recounts the rest of the important leaders who blew their conches in fair succession. Compared to his description of the war cries of Duryodhana’s army, the message he wants to drive home to the blind King is clear and concise.

Almost everyone he names has some distinction or other, making it hard for the opponents to counter. Kashi King is an expert wielder of bow. Shikhandi, fated to fell Bheeshma, is a great chariot fighter. Satyaki is very hard to subdue. Thus goes the vivid description of the different leaders who followed Krishna and blew their conches. There was full discipline, order and majesty in what they did, as against the opponents.

On hearing these, Dhritarashtra must have enough to think in terms of clues and indications as to how the war was destined to fare. In that light, the great Bheeshma’s fall is not unexpected or undeserving.