Shloka 10
Virāṭa’s Conciliation and Uttara’s Account of the Unseen Champion
Bṛhannadā/Arjuna
अमृष्यमाणस्तद् भीष्मो जानन्नपि स पाण्डवम् | दिव्येनास्त्रेण महता धनंजयमवाकिरत्,भीष्मजी अपने सैनिकोंपर किये गये अर्जुनके उस पराक्रमको सह न सके। वे यह जानते हुए भी कि ये पाण्डुपुत्र धनंजय हैं, महान् दिव्यास्त्रद्वारा उनपर बाणोंकी वर्षा करने लगे
amṛṣyamāṇas tad bhīṣmo jānann api sa pāṇḍavam | divyenāstreṇa mahatā dhanañjayam avākirat |
Vaiśampāyana sprach: Da Bhīṣma diese Zurschaustellung der Tapferkeit nicht ertragen konnte, ließ er—obwohl er wohl wusste, dass der Kämpfer vor ihm der Pāṇḍava Dhanañjaya war—eine große himmlische Waffe los und überschüttete Arjuna mit einem Strom von Pfeilen.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how intense conflict can drive escalation: even when one clearly recognizes the opponent and knows the broader truth, emotions like intolerance of defeat and the pressure of warrior-duty can compel a stronger response. It invites reflection on self-mastery and the ethical tension between personal discernment and battlefield obligation.
After witnessing Arjuna’s formidable feats against the opposing forces, Bhīṣma cannot bear that prowess. Though he knows the fighter is the Pāṇḍava Arjuna (Dhanañjaya), he counters by deploying a powerful divine astra and raining arrows upon him.