Shloka 33
भीष्मो यदकरोत् कर्म समरे संजयारिहा । दुर्योधनहितार्थाय के तस्यास्य पुरो$भवन्,शत्रुहन्ता भीष्मने दुर्योधनके हितके लिये समरभूमिमें जो पराक्रम किया था, वह अनुपम है। उस समय कौन-कौनसे योद्धा उनके आगे थे? किन-किन वीरोंने अमिततेजस्वी भीष्मके रथके दाहिने पहियेकी रक्षा की थी? किन लोगोंने दृढ़तापूर्वक व्रतका पालन करते हुए उनके पीछेकी ओर रहकर शत्रुपक्षके वीरोंको आगे बढ़नेसे रोका था?
dhṛtarāṣṭra uvāca |
bhīṣmo yad akarot karma samare sañjayārihā |
duryodhana-hitārthāya ke tasyāsya puro 'bhavan ||
Dhṛtarāṣṭra said: “O Sañjaya, slayer of foes, the deed Bhīṣma performed in the battle for Duryodhana’s benefit was extraordinary. Who were the warriors positioned in front of him then?”
धृतराष्ट उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical tension between personal loyalty and righteous duty: Bhīṣma’s formidable prowess is praised as service to Duryodhana, prompting reflection on how extraordinary capability can be directed by allegiance, even amid morally complex war.
Dhṛtarāṣṭra questions Sañjaya about the battle formation around Bhīṣma—specifically, which warriors were stationed at Bhīṣma’s front while he fought for Duryodhana’s cause—seeking tactical detail and reassurance about his side’s protection of their commander.