Shloka 17
आशा-कृशता उपाख्यानम्
The Episode on the Emaciation Caused by Hope
तस्य मर्मच्छिदं घोरं तीक्ष्णं चामित्रकर्शन: । समादाय शरं श्रेष्ठ कार्मुके तु तथासृजत्
tasya marma-cchidaṃ ghoraṃ tīkṣṇaṃ cāmitra-karśanaḥ | samādāya śaraṃ śreṣṭhaṃ kārmuke tu tathāsṛjat ||
Bhīṣma sprach: Da nahm der Bezwinger der Feinde einen schrecklichen, rasiermesserscharfen Pfeil—einen, der die Lebenspunkte durchbohrt—und ließ diesen vortrefflichen Schaft von seinem Bogen schnellen.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the lethal intentionality of combat—targeting ‘marma’ (vital points). Ethically, it serves as a sober reminder that choosing violence entails deliberate harm and often intensifies conflict, demanding restraint and responsibility in any exercise of power.
A warrior described as ‘amitra-karśana’ (enemy-subduer) takes an exceptionally sharp, fearsome arrow designed to pierce vital points and releases it from his bow, indicating an imminent, decisive strike in battle.