Shloka 11
शराभितप्तकायो<पि शस्त्रसम्पातमूर्च्छित: । पानीयमिति सम्प्रेक्ष्य राज्ञस्तान् प्रत्यभाषत
śarābhitaptakāyo 'pi śastrasampātamūrcchitaḥ | pānīyam iti samprekṣya rājñas tān pratyabhāṣata, bharataśreṣṭha |
Sañjaya said: Though his body was scorched by arrows and he was nearly fainting under the onslaught of weapons, Bhīṣma looked toward those kings and spoke only this—“Water,” O best of the Bharatas.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical contrast between martial glory and human fragility: even a great warrior enduring pain with fortitude ultimately needs simple compassion and basic sustenance. It invites reflection on mercy and care amid the harshness of war.
Bhīṣma, grievously wounded and overwhelmed by the shower of weapons, turns his gaze toward the assembled kings and utters a single request—“Water.” Sañjaya reports this to Dhṛtarāṣṭra.