Shloka 73
Bhīṣma-nipāta-saṃvāda — Sañjaya’s Report of Bhīṣma’s Fall (भीष्मनिपातसंवादः)
न हि मे शान्तिरस्तीह श्रुत्वा देवव्रतं हतम्,त्वं हि मे सर्पिषेवाग्निमुद्दीपपसि संजय । युद्धभूमिमें शोभा पानेवाले भयंकर पराक्रमी अपने ताऊ देवव्रत भीष्मको मारा गया सुनकर मेरे हृदयमें शान्ति नहीं रह गयी है। उनके मारे जानेसे मेरे पुत्रोंकी जो हानि होनेवाली है, उसके कारण मेरे मनमें भारी व्यथा जाग उठी है। संजय! तुम अपने वचनरूपी घृतकी आहुति डालकर मेरी उस चिन्ता एवं व्यथारूपी अग्निको और भी उद्दीप्त कर रहे हो
dhṛtarāṣṭra uvāca | na hi me śāntir astīha śrutvā devavrataṃ hatam | tvaṃ hi me sarpiṣevāgnim uddīpayasi saṃjaya |
Dhṛtarāṣṭra said: “I find no peace here after hearing that Devavrata (Bhīṣma) has been slain. Saṃjaya, you are fanning my fire as though pouring ghee upon it. The fall of that terrible, battle-adorning hero has shattered my composure; and the thought of the losses that will now befall my sons stirs a deep anguish within me. By your words you only kindle further my blaze of worry and grief.”
धृतराष्ट उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how attachment and partiality distort judgment: Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s dependence on Bhīṣma for his sons’ success turns into anguish when Bhīṣma falls. It also shows the ethical cost of clinging to victory through others’ strength—when that support collapses, inner peace collapses with it.
After hearing from Saṃjaya that Bhīṣma (Devavrata), the Kuru grandsire and chief warrior, has been struck down, Dhṛtarāṣṭra becomes overwhelmed. He tells Saṃjaya that the report is like ghee poured on fire, intensifying his anxiety about the impending ruin of his sons in the war.