Shloka 12
भीष्मधनंजयद्वैरथम्
Bhīṣma–Dhanaṃjaya Duel and the Opening Clash
अर्जुनस्तु नरव्याप्रो दृष्टवा भीष्म॑ं महारथम् | वार्ष्णेयमब्रवीत् क्रुद्धो याहि यत्र पितामह:
sañjaya uvāca | arjunas tu naravyāghro dṛṣṭvā bhīṣmaṁ mahāratham | vārṣṇeyam abravīt kruddho yāhi yatra pitāmahaḥ ||
Sanjaya said: Arjuna, the tiger among men, seeing Bhishma—the great chariot-warrior—spoke in anger to Krishna of the Vrishni line: “Drive to where Grandfather Bhishma stands.” In the ethical pressure of battle, Arjuna’s urgency reflects a fear that Bhishma, fighting for Duryodhana’s cause, may devastate Arjuna’s forces unless confronted directly.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even righteous warriors can be swept by anger in crisis; dharma in war demands strategic clarity and disciplined action rather than panic. Arjuna’s impulse to confront Bhishma highlights the need to address the greatest source of harm directly, while still remaining governed by duty and discernment.
On the battlefield, Arjuna sees Bhishma fighting powerfully as a leading Kaurava champion. Alarmed and angered, he urges Krishna, his charioteer, to drive toward Bhishma so that Arjuna can engage him and prevent further destruction of the Pandava forces.