Shloka 8
भीष्मस्य सेनापत्यप्रतिज्ञा तथा रथसंख्यावर्णनम् | Bhishma Accepts Command and Enumerates Kaurava Strength
यस्य वीर्य समाश्रित्य धार्तराष्ट्र विकत्थसे । हन्तास्मि प्रथमं भीष्म मिषतां सर्वधन्विनाम्
sañjaya uvāca | yasya vīrya-samāśritya dhārtarāṣṭra vikatthase | hantāsmi prathamaṃ bhīṣma miṣatāṃ sarva-dhanvinām ||
ধৃতরাষ্ট্রপুত্র! যার বীর্যে ভর করে তুই এত দম্ভ করিস, আমি সেই পিতামহ ভীষ্মকেই সবার আগে—তোর সকল ধনুর্ধরের চোখের সামনেই—নিহত করব।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse critiques arrogance that depends on another’s strength: boasting “under the shelter” of a mighty protector is ethically hollow. It also highlights the kṣatriya ethos of taking decisive responsibility—directing one’s challenge toward the true pillar of the opposing side rather than hiding behind reputation.
Sañjaya reports a fierce declaration aimed at the Dhārtarāṣṭra camp: the speaker vows to kill Bhīṣma first, and to do so openly in front of all the enemy archers. It foreshadows Bhīṣma’s central role in the coming war and the determination to break the Kauravas’ chief support.