Shloka 33
Adhyāya 111 (Book 6): Daśama-dina-saṃgrāma—Bhīṣma’s Counsel to Yudhiṣṭhira and the Śikhaṇḍin-Led Advance
सादिनश्चाश्वपृछ्ठेभ्य: पादातांक्ष समागतान् | गजारोहान् गजेभ्यश्व॒ परेषां जयकारिण:,राजन! पुरुषश्रेष्ठ भीष्मने कितने ही रथियोंको रथोंसे, घुड़सवारोंको घोड़ोंकी पीठोंसे, शत्रुओंपर विजय पानेवाले हाथीसवारोंको हाथियोंसे तथा सामने आये हुए पैदल सिपाहियोंको भी मार गिराया
sādināś cāśvapṛṣṭhebhyaḥ pādātāṁś ca samāgatān | gajārohān gajebhyaś ca pareṣāṁ jayakāriṇaḥ ||
Sañjaya said: O King, Bhīṣma—foremost among men—struck down many: horsemen from their horses’ backs, foot-soldiers who had come up close, and elephant-riders—those who had been winning victories over the enemy—from their elephants.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the impartial destructiveness of war: even those who are skilled and previously victorious can be felled. It implicitly invites reflection on the ethical cost of conflict and the grim momentum of kṣatriya warfare once it is unleashed.
Sañjaya reports to King Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Bhīṣma is cutting down large numbers of enemy troops across divisions—cavalry, infantry, and elephant corps—throwing riders from mounts and breaking the opposing formations.