Shloka 112
Daiva–Puruṣakāra Discourse and the Elephant-Corps Engagement (भीमगजानीक-सम्भ्रान्ति)
अप्राप्तामथ तां शक्ति पिता देवव्रतस्तव । त्रिधा चिच्छेद समरे सा पृथिव्यामशीर्यत,वह शक्ति अभी पासतक पहुँची ही न थी कि आपके पितृतुल्य भीष्मने समरभूमिमें उसके तीन टुकड़े कर डाले और वह भूतलपर बिखर गयी
aprāptām atha tāṁ śaktiṁ pitā devavratas tava | tridhā ciccheda samare sā pṛthivyām aśīryata ||
Sañjaya said: Before that spear could even reach its mark, Devavrata (Bhīṣma), your guardian like a father, cut it into three pieces in the midst of battle, and it scattered upon the earth. The scene reveals Bhīṣma’s vigilant protection and mastery of war, where disciplined skill restrains destructive force before it can do harm.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even amid war, disciplined vigilance and skill can prevent harm before it occurs; the verse highlights protective responsibility (especially of an elder warrior) and the restraint of destructive force through mastery.
A spear (śakti) is hurled, but before it can reach its target, Bhīṣma (Devavrata) cuts it into three pieces on the battlefield, and the fragments fall and scatter on the ground.