Shloka 17
Bhīṣma’s Fall, the Arrow-bed (śara-talpa), and the Establishment of Guard
तं॑ चेह निकृतिप्रज्ञं पाउ्चाल्यं पापचेतसम् । पुरस्कृत्य रणे पार्थो भीष्मस्यायोधनं गत:
taṁ ceha nikṛtiprajñaṁ pāñcālyaṁ pāpacetasam | puraskṛtya raṇe pārtho bhīṣmasyāyodhanaṁ gataḥ ||
Sañjaya said: “Here, having placed in front that deceit-minded Pāñcāla prince of sinful intent, Pārtha (Arjuna) has gone into battle to engage Bhīṣma in combat.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical tension in warfare: even when fighting for a righteous cause, warriors may resort to morally questionable stratagems. It invites reflection on how dharma is tested under extreme necessity, and how intention, means, and consequences complicate moral judgment.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Arjuna advances to fight Bhīṣma while placing Śikhaṇḍin in front. Since Bhīṣma will not attack Śikhaṇḍin, this tactic enables Arjuna to confront and ultimately bring down Bhīṣma.