Shloka 37
भीष्मपर्व — अध्याय ६२: वासुदेवमहात्म्यप्रशंसा (देव–ब्रह्मसंवादः)
अनुग्राह्मा: पाण्डुसुतास्तव नूनं पितामह । यथेमां क्षमसे वीर वध्यमानां वरूथिनीम्
anugrāhyāḥ pāṇḍusutās tava nūnaṃ pitāmaha | yathemāṃ kṣamase vīra vadhyamānāṃ varūthinīm ||
Sanjaya said: “O Grandsire, surely the sons of Pāṇḍu are objects of your special favor; for, O hero, you endure—indeed you permit—this battle-array to be cut down before you.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights an ethical tension in war: a commander’s duty to fight wholeheartedly can conflict with personal affection and moral restraint. Sañjaya implies that Bhīṣma’s forbearance toward the Pāṇḍavas looks like ‘favor,’ raising questions about impartiality, loyalty, and dharma under tragic circumstances.
Sañjaya addresses Bhīṣma as the Kaurava commander, observing that the Kaurava host is being cut down while Bhīṣma seems to endure it. He suggests that Bhīṣma’s conduct appears to spare the Pāṇḍavas, as if they are under his special protection or grace.