Shloka 466
भीष्मधनंजयद्वैरथम्
Bhīṣma–Dhanaṃjaya Duel and the Opening Clash
शीर्यमाणान्यदृश्यन्त भिन्नान्यर्जुनसायकै: । भीष्मके धनुषसे छूटे हुए सायकोंके समूह अर्जुनके बाणोंसे छिन्न-भिन्न होकर इधर- उधर बिखरे दिखायी देने लगे
sañjaya uvāca | śīryamāṇāny adṛśyanta bhinnāny arjunasāyakaiḥ |
Sañjaya said: The volleys of arrows that had been released from Bhishma’s bow were seen being shattered—split apart by Arjuna’s shafts—and scattered in different directions. The scene underscores Arjuna’s disciplined mastery in battle: force is met not with blind rage, but with precise skill directed toward the demands of duty on the battlefield.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even amid violence, the epic highlights disciplined action aligned with one’s role (kṣatriya-dharma): Arjuna’s precision symbolizes controlled power used in service of duty rather than uncontrolled aggression.
Sanjaya describes a battlefield moment where the arrows shot from Bhishma’s bow are intercepted and cut apart by Arjuna’s arrows, visibly scattering as fragments—showing Arjuna’s superior timing and marksmanship in that exchange.