Shloka 9
Ghaṭotkaca Slays Alāyudha (Night Battle and Māyā Countermeasures) / घटोत्कचेन अलायुधवधः
य॑ पुंसां त्रिषु लोकेषु सर्वशूरममंस्महि । तस्मिन् निपतिते शूरे कि शेषं पर्युपास्महे,हमलोग जिन्हें तीनों लोकोंके पुरुषोंमें सबसे अधिक शूरवीर मानते थे, उन शौर्यसम्पन्न भीष्मके मारे जानेपर हम दूसरोंका क्या भरोसा करें?
yaṁ puṁsāṁ triṣu lokeṣu sarvaśūram amaṁsmahi | tasmin nipatite śūre kiṁ śeṣaṁ paryupāsmahe ||
Sañjaya sprach: „Den, den wir für den tapfersten aller Menschen in den drei Welten hielten — wenn dieser mächtige Krieger gefallen ist, auf wen von den Übriggebliebenen könnten wir uns noch verlassen?“
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the fragility of worldly reliance: even the greatest warrior can fall, so confidence based solely on power and reputation is unstable. Ethically, it underscores how attachment to might (bala) collapses in the face of mortality and fate, pushing one to reconsider what is truly dependable.
Sanjaya reports the Kauravas’ shock and loss of confidence after Bhishma—whom they regarded as the supreme hero—has been brought down. His fall becomes a turning point that shakes morale and makes the remaining fighters seem uncertain supports.