Shloka 20
भीष्मपतनविषये धृतराष्ट्रस्य प्रश्नाः | Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Questions on Bhīṣma’s Fall
संरक्ष्यमाण: पार्थन भीष्मेण च विवर्जित: । यथा न हन्याद् गाड़ेयं दःशासन तथा कुरु,“अतः दुःशासन! भीष्मसे उपेक्षित तथा अर्जुनसे सुरक्षित होकर शिखण्डी जिस प्रकार गंगानन्दन भीष्मको न मार सके, वैसा प्रयत्न करो”
saṃrakṣyamāṇaḥ pārthena bhīṣmeṇa ca vivarjitaḥ | yathā na hanyād gāṅgeyaṃ duḥśāsana tathā kuru ||
Sañjaya said: “Protected by Arjuna and deliberately left unopposed by Bhīṣma, see to it, Duḥśāsana, that Śikhaṇḍin does not strike down Gāṅgeya. Make your effort in such a way that Bhīṣma, bound by his vow and restraint, is not brought to death through this stratagem.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how vows and ethical restraints shape battlefield outcomes: Bhīṣma’s refusal to engage Śikhaṇḍin creates a moral-psychological vulnerability that others exploit. It underscores the tension between dharma-based restraint and the ruthless logic of war-strategy.
Sañjaya reports counsel directed at Duḥśāsana: since Śikhaṇḍin is shielded by Arjuna and Bhīṣma will not counter him, Duḥśāsana should act to prevent Śikhaṇḍin from becoming the instrument of Bhīṣma’s fall.