Shloka 15
एवमुक््त्वा शान्तनवो निन्दन् वाक्येन पार्थिवान् । अर्जुन द्रष्टमिच्छामीत्यभ्यभाषत भारत
evam uktvā śāntanavo nindan vākyena pārthivān | arjuna draṣṭum icchāmīty abhyabhāṣata bhārata ||
সঞ্জয় বললেন—হে ভারত! এ কথা বলে শান্তনুনন্দন ভীষ্ম বাক্যে অন্য রাজাদের নিন্দা করে বললেন—“এখন আমি অর্জুনকে দেখতে চাই।”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a warrior-elder’s ethical discernment in war: empty status among kings is criticized, while true merit is acknowledged. Bhīṣma’s wish to see Arjuna underscores respect for genuine prowess and the moral seriousness of facing a worthy opponent.
Sañjaya reports that Bhīṣma, after rebuking other kings with sharp words, openly declares his desire to see (and by implication confront) Arjuna on the battlefield, signaling Arjuna’s central importance in the coming clash.