Shloka 53
तमेक॑ छादयामासुर्मेघा इव दिवाकरम् । भीष्म भागीरथीपुत्र प्रतपन्तं रणे रिपून्
tam ekaṁ chādayāmāsur meghā iva divākaram | bhīṣma bhāgīrathīputra pratapantaṁ raṇe ripūn, paraṁtapa ||
Sañjaya said: Just as clouds veil the sun, so those heroes covered Bhīṣma—surrounding him with masses of infantry, cavalry, and charioteers, and with countless arrows. Yet at that time Bhīṣma, the son of the Bhāgīrathī (Gaṅgā), stood alone on the battlefield, fiercely scorching the enemy ranks—O subduer of foes.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights steadfastness and warrior-duty under overwhelming pressure: even when surrounded and ‘covered’ by enemy forces, Bhīṣma continues to act with unwavering resolve, embodying kṣatriya valor and endurance.
Sañjaya describes how many warriors converge on Bhīṣma, showering him with innumerable arrows and surrounding him with mixed troops, like clouds obscuring the sun; nevertheless, Bhīṣma stands alone and powerfully harasses the enemy in the thick of battle.