Shloka 136
भीष्मस्य अप्रतिमपराक्रमः — शिखण्डिपुरस्कृतः प्रहारः
Bhīṣma’s unmatched momentum and the assault with Śikhaṇḍin in the lead
भीष्मस्य निधन प्रेप्सुं दुर्मुखो 5भ्यद्रवद् बली । भीष्मकी मृत्यु चाहनेवाले क्रूरकर्मा राक्षस महाबली भीमसेनकुमार घटोत्कचपर बलवान दुर्मुखने आक्रमण किया
sañjaya uvāca | bhīṣmasya nidhanaṃ prepsuṃ durmukho 'bhyadravad balī |
Sañjaya said: Wishing to bring about Bhīṣma’s death, the mighty Durmukha rushed forward to attack. In the moral atmosphere of the war, this act reflects the hardening of intent—where victory is pursued not merely by facing an opponent in battle, but by aiming at the fall of a revered elder whose presence upholds the Kuru line’s martial order.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how intention (saṅkalpa) shapes the ethical weight of action: in war, charging an enemy is a kṣatriya act, but explicitly seeking the death of a venerable elder like Bhīṣma underscores the grim moral descent that accompanies fratricidal conflict.
Sañjaya reports that the powerful warrior Durmukha rushes forward, intent on causing Bhīṣma’s death, signaling an aggressive move against Bhīṣma on the battlefield.