Shloka 25
Adhyāya 104 — Śikhaṇḍin-puraskāraḥ (Śikhaṇḍin as Vanguard) and Bhīṣma’s Counter-Advance
प्रादुश्चक्रेडस्त्रमत्युग्रं भास्करं कुरुनन्दन: । ततः प्रकाशमभवज्जगत् सर्व महीपते
sañjaya uvāca | prāduścakred astram atyugraṃ bhāskaraṃ kurunandanaḥ | tataḥ prakāśam abhavaj jagat sarvaṃ mahīpate ||
Sañjaya said: Abhimanyu, the Kurus’ delight, manifested the exceedingly fierce Bhāskara-weapon. Thereupon, O king, the entire world became filled with light.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even amid war’s chaos, power should be exercised with disciplined intent: the imagery of darkness being dispelled by a sun-like weapon underscores the ethical ideal that clarity, courage, and right resolve must overcome fear and confusion.
Sanjaya reports that Abhimanyu, described as the Kurus’ delight, invokes the fierce Bhāskara-weapon; its radiance spreads everywhere, removing the oppressive darkness and changing the battlefield’s condition.