Shloka 20
भीष्मपतनविषये धृतराष्ट्रस्य प्रश्नाः | Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Questions on Bhīṣma’s Fall
संरक्ष्यमाण: पार्थन भीष्मेण च विवर्जित: । यथा न हन्याद् गाड़ेयं दःशासन तथा कुरु
saṃrakṣyamāṇaḥ pārthena bhīṣmeṇa ca vivarjitaḥ | yathā na hanyād gāṅgeyaṃ duḥśāsana tathā kuru ||
قال سنجايا: «وقد حُمي شيكاندين بأرجونا، وتعمّد بهيشما أن لا يواجهه، فاحرص يا دُحشاسَنا على ألا يضرب شيكاندين غانغِيا صريعًا. وابذل جهدك كي لا يُساق بهيشما—المقيَّد بنذره وضبطه—إلى الموت بهذه الحيلة.»
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how vows and ethical restraints shape battlefield outcomes: Bhīṣma’s refusal to engage Śikhaṇḍin creates a moral-psychological vulnerability that others exploit. It underscores the tension between dharma-based restraint and the ruthless logic of war-strategy.
Sañjaya reports counsel directed at Duḥśāsana: since Śikhaṇḍin is shielded by Arjuna and Bhīṣma will not counter him, Duḥśāsana should act to prevent Śikhaṇḍin from becoming the instrument of Bhīṣma’s fall.