Shloka 11
भीष्मरथाभिमुख्यं — Arjuna’s advance with Śikhaṇḍin; Duḥśāsana’s interception
महाराज! उनके सायकोंसे अत्यन्त घायल होनेके कारण वे रक्तप्रवाहसे नहा उठे और वसन्तऋतुमें पुष्पोंसे भरे हुए रक्ताशोककी भाँति शोभा पाने लगे ।।
sañjaya uvāca | mahārāja! teṣāṃ sāyakair atyanta-ghātatvāt te rudhira-pravāhena snātā iva babhūvuḥ, vasantar̥tau puṣpa-bharita-raktāśoka iva śobhāṃ lebhire || tān pratyavidhyad gāṅgeyaḥ sa-tribhis tribhir ajihmagaiḥ | drupadasya ca bhallena dhanuś ciccheda mārīṣa ||
قال سنجيا: أيها الملك، إذ أُصيبوا بتلك السهام إصابةً بالغة، بدوا كأنهم اغتسلوا في سيولٍ من الدم، وتألقوا كأشجار الأشوكا الحمراء في الربيع مثقلةً بالأزهار. ثم إن بهيشما، ابن الغانغا، طعن كلاً منهم بثلاثة سهامٍ مستقيمة الطيران؛ وبسهمٍ عريض الرأس قطع قوس دروبادا.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣatriya code in war: skill and firmness are expected, yet actions often remain within recognizable battlefield norms—such as disabling an opponent by cutting the bow. It also shows how epic poetry frames even grim violence through aesthetic imagery, inviting reflection on duty, restraint, and the cost of conflict.
Sanjaya describes warriors badly wounded and drenched in blood, likened to red aśoka trees in spring. Bhīṣma then counterattacks, striking each opponent with three straight arrows, and specifically severs King Drupada’s bow with a bhalla, effectively disarming him.