Shloka 18
Arjuna’s Advance toward Bhīṣma; The Gāṇḍīva’s Signal and the Armies’ Convergence (भीष्माभिमुखगमनम् — गाण्डीवनिर्घोष-ध्वजवर्णनम्)
समरे प्रेक्ष्य यन्तारं विशोक॑ तु वृकोदर: । पीडित॑ विशिखैस्ती#्ष्णैस्तव पुत्रेण धन्विना
saṃgare prekṣya yantāraṃ viśokaṃ tu vṛkodaraḥ | pīḍitaṃ viśikhaiḥ tīkṣṇaiḥ tava putreṇa dhanvinā ||
قال سانجيا: لما رأى فِرْكودَرا (بهيما) سائقه فيشوكا يتلوّى في ساحة القتال من وطأة السهام الحادّة التي رماها ابنُك، الرامي بالقوس، لم يطق احتمال ذلك. فاستبدّ به الغضب وأخذ قوسه السماوي عازمًا على قتل ابنك؛ ثم ركّب سهمًا مجنّحًا ذا نصلٍ كالموسى، وبه قطع قوس الملك دوريوذانا الممتاز.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the warrior-ethic of protecting one’s dependents: Bhīma’s intolerance of harm to his charioteer becomes a catalyst for decisive action. It also illustrates how anger, when directed toward defending others, can intensify resolve—yet remains ethically charged because it risks excess in violence.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Bhīma sees his charioteer Viśoka struck by sharp arrows shot by Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s son (Duryodhana). Enraged, Bhīma takes up his divine bow and, using a razor-headed arrow, cuts down Duryodhana’s bow, escalating the duel.