Vāsudeva-Māhātmya: Duryodhana’s Inquiry and Bhīṣma’s Theological Account of Keśava
(प्रच्छादयन् शरान् भीष्मो निशितान् कड्कपत्रिण: ।) भिनत्त्येकेन बाणेन सुमुखेन पतत्त्रिणा
(pracchādayan śarān bhīṣmo niśitān kaṅkapatriṇaḥ |) bhinattyekena bāṇena sumukhena patattriṇā
(قال سنجيا:) كان بهيشما يكسو الميدان بسهامٍ حادّةٍ ريشُها كريش البلشون، ثم يشقّها—سهمًا فسهمًا—بسهمٍ واحد، يطلقه من قوسه المحكم السريع الطيران.
संजय उवाच
The verse underscores disciplined excellence in one’s appointed role: within the harsh framework of kṣatriya-dharma, Bhīṣma’s controlled precision symbolizes mastery and steadiness rather than reckless violence.
Sañjaya describes Bhīṣma on the battlefield: he showers sharp, feathered arrows and counters so effectively that he can split incoming arrows with a single shot, demonstrating overwhelming martial superiority.