Shloka 26
भीष्मस्य शरशय्या-प्राप्तिः
Bhīṣma’s Fall to the Arrow-Bed
अश्वत्थामा ततस्तौ तु विव्याध बहुभि: शरै: । विराटद्रुपदौ वीरौ भीष्म प्रति समुझतौ,उस समय ट्रुपदने भी तीन तीखे बाणोंद्वारा अश्वत्थामाको घायल कर दिया। इस प्रकार प्रहार करते हुए उन दोनों महाबली नरेशोंको अश्वत्थामाने अनेक बाणोंद्वारा बींध डाला। विराट और ट्रुपद दोनों वीर भीष्मका वध करनेके लिये उद्यत थे
sañjaya uvāca |
aśvatthāmā tatastau tu vivyādha bahubhiḥ śaraiḥ |
virāṭa-drupadau vīrau bhīṣmaṃ prati samudyatau ||
Sañjaya said: Then Aśvatthāmā pierced those two heroes—Virāṭa and Drupada—with many arrows. The valiant kings Virāṭa and Drupada, intent on advancing against Bhīṣma, pressed forward; yet even as they struck and strove toward their aim, they were themselves brought down by Aśvatthāmā’s counterattack. Thus the harsh reciprocity of battle was revealed: righteous resolve and royal valor alike meet the immediate consequence of armed resistance.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the immediacy of consequence in righteous warfare: valor and intent (even against a formidable elder like Bhīṣma) must contend with equal and opposite force. It reflects kṣatriya-dharma in practice—courage, initiative, and the acceptance that one’s actions in battle invite swift retaliation.
Sañjaya reports that Virāṭa and Drupada are advancing with the aim of confronting (and effectively seeking the fall of) Bhīṣma. Aśvatthāmā counters them, piercing both kings with many arrows, checking their advance through superior archery.