Shloka 83
गौरुडव्यूह-रचना तथा अर्धचन्द्र-प्रत्यव्यूह
Garuḍa Array and the Ardhacandra Counter-Formation
ततः शक्तिममेयात्मा चिक्षेप भुजगोपमाम् | पाण्डवार्थे पराक्रान्तस्तवानर्थ चिकीर्षुक:,'भीष्म! इस समय साहसपूर्वक खड़े रहो। मुझे देखो और पुरुष बनो“, ऐसा कहकर अमित आत्मबलसे सम्पन्न महाधनुर्धर और पराक्रमी वीर श्वेतने भीष्मपर वह सर्पके समान भयंकर शक्ति चलायी। श्वेत पाण्डवोंका हित और आपके पक्षका अहित करनेकी इच्छासे पराक्रम दिखा रहे थे
tataḥ śaktim ameyātmā cikṣepa bhujagopamām | pāṇḍavārthe parākrāntas tavānartha cikīrṣukaḥ ||
Sañjaya said: Then Śveta, whose spirit was immeasurable, hurled a dreadful śakti-weapon, serpent-like in its flight. Striving for the Pāṇḍavas’ cause and intent on harming your side, he displayed his valor by casting it at Bhīṣma—urging him to stand firm and face him like a man.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights that battlefield courage is not merely display but directed intention: Śveta’s valor is explicitly aligned with protecting his allies (the Pāṇḍavas) and opposing the enemy camp. It reflects the kṣatriya ethos where resolve, loyalty, and purposeful action define heroism.
Sañjaya narrates that Śveta, a powerful archer-warrior, hurls a terrifying śakti weapon at Bhīṣma. The weapon is described as serpent-like, emphasizing its deadly, swift motion. Śveta acts to aid the Pāṇḍavas and to damage Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s side.