Shloka 3
स ददर्श महात्मानं शरतल्पगतं तदा । जन्मशब्यागतं वीरं कार्तिकेयमिव प्रभुम्
sa dadarśa mahātmānaṃ śaratālpagataṃ tadā | janmaśayyāgataṃ vīraṃ kārtikeyam iva prabhum ||
قال سانجيا: ثم أبصر بهيشما عظيمَ النفس مضطجعًا على سريرٍ من السهام، كالإله البطل كارتّيكيا، السيد، الذي وُضِع عند مولده على فراشٍ من القصب.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights steadfastness in dharma: Bhīṣma, though grievously wounded, is portrayed with heroic composure and dignity, suggesting that inner resolve and fidelity to one’s vows can persist even amid extreme suffering and the ethical tragedy of war.
Sañjaya narrates that the observer (in context, the arriving party) sees Bhīṣma lying on the battlefield upon a bed of arrows. His appearance is compared to Lord Kārtikeya at birth resting on a reed-bed, elevating Bhīṣma’s martial stature and the solemnity of the moment.