Shloka 103
भीष्मपर्व — अध्याय ११०: पार्थभीमयोः प्रहारः तथा भीष्माभिमुखं संग्रामविस्तारः
Arjuna and Bhima’s pressure; escalation toward Bhishma
अजुन उवाच शिखण्डी निधन कृष्ण भीष्मस्य भविता ध्रुवम् । दृष्टवैव हि सदा भीष्म: पाज्चाल्यं विनिवर्तते
arjuna uvāca | śikhaṇḍī nidhanaṃ kṛṣṇa bhīṣmasya bhavitā dhruvam | dṛṣṭvaiva hi sadā bhīṣmaḥ pāñcālyaṃ vinivartate ||
Arjuna said: “O Kṛṣṇa, it is certain that Śikhaṇḍī will become the cause of Bhīṣma’s fall. For Bhīṣma, upon merely seeing the Pāñcāla warrior, always turns back—refusing to engage.”
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how adherence to a warrior’s ethical restraint (Bhīṣma’s refusal to fight Śikhaṇḍī) can decisively shape outcomes in war. Dharma is not merely an ideal; it has practical consequences—sometimes creating vulnerabilities that strategy can exploit.
Arjuna tells Kṛṣṇa that Śikhaṇḍī will certainly be the instrument of Bhīṣma’s downfall, because Bhīṣma withdraws whenever he sees the Pāñcāla warrior. This sets up the tactical plan to place Śikhaṇḍī in front so Bhīṣma will not counterattack effectively.