Shloka 27
भीष्मधनंजयद्वैरथम्
Bhīṣma–Dhanaṃjaya Duel and the Opening Clash
स भीष्म पञज्चविंशत्या कृपं च नवभि: शरै:
sa bhīṣmaḥ pañcaviṃśatyā kṛpaṃ ca navabhiḥ śaraiḥ
Sañjaya said: He struck Bhīṣma with twenty-five arrows, and Kṛpa as well with nine shafts—showing the battle’s relentless precision, where even revered elders and teachers are not spared when duty and allegiance set them on opposing sides.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the hard edge of kṣatriya-duty in war: when dharma is interpreted through allegiance and battlefield obligation, even venerable elders and teachers become legitimate targets, illustrating the tragic moral complexity of Kurukṣetra.
Sañjaya reports a specific exchange in the battle: a warrior (identified by the surrounding verses) shoots Bhīṣma with twenty-five arrows and Kṛpa with nine, describing the measured, tactical distribution of blows among key Kaurava champions.