Shloka 29
Adhyāya 107 — बहुयुद्धप्रकरणम्
Multiple Defensive Engagements to Protect Bhīṣma
स विद्ध्वा भारतं षष्ट्य निशितैलोंमवाहिभि: । नृत्यन्निव रथोपस्थे विधुन्वानो महद् धनु:
sa viddhvā bhārataṁ ṣaṣṭyā niśitair lomavāhibhiḥ | nṛtyann iva rathopasthe vidhunvāno mahad dhanuḥ ||
সে পাখাযুক্ত ষাটটি তীক্ষ্ণ বাণে ভরতবংশীয় পিতামহ ভীষ্মকে বিদ্ধ করল; আর রথাসনে যেন নৃত্য করছে—এমন ভঙ্গিতে মহাধনু দোলাতে দোলাতে তার গম্ভীর টংকার চারদিকে ছড়িয়ে দিল।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical strain of righteous warfare: even a revered elder like Bhīṣma may be attacked when duty (kṣatriya-dharma) demands it, yet the triumphant display also invites reflection on restraint, humility, and the moral weight of violence.
In Sañjaya’s report from the battlefield, a warrior strikes Bhīṣma with sixty sharp, feathered arrows and, exulting in momentum, appears to ‘dance’ on the chariot-seat while brandishing a great bow whose twang resounds.