Shloka 58
Vāsudeva-Māhātmya: Duryodhana’s Inquiry and Bhīṣma’s Theological Account of Keśava
इस प्रकार श्रीमह्या भारत भीष्मपर्वके अन्तर्गत भीष्मवधपर्वमें तृतीय युद्धदिवसमें भीष्म और दुर्योधनका संवादविषयक अटद्ठावनवाँ अध्याय पूरा हुआ,त्वय्येवैतद् युक्तरूपं महत् कर्म धनंजय । प्रीतो5स्मि सुभुशं पुत्र कुरु युद्ध मया सह अर्जुनकी इस फुर्तीको देखकर शान्तनुनन्दन भीष्मने बड़ी प्रशंसा की और कहा --“महाबाहु कुन्तीकुमार! तुम्हें साधुवाद। पाण्डुनन्दन! धन्यवाद। बेटा! तुम्हारी इस फुर्तीसे मैं बहुत प्रसन्न हूँ। धनंजय! यह महान् कर्म तुम्हारे ही योग्य है। तुम मेरे साथ युद्ध करो”
tvayy evaitad yukta-rūpaṃ mahat karma dhanañjaya | prīto 'smi subhuśaṃ putra kuru yuddha mayā saha ||
Sañjaya said: “This great deed is fitting for you alone, O Dhanañjaya. I am exceedingly pleased, my son. Fight with me.” Seeing Arjuna’s swift prowess, Bhīṣma—the son of Śantanu—praised him warmly, affirming that such heroic action properly belongs to a warrior of Arjuna’s stature and inviting him into direct combat, thereby framing valor and duty (kṣatriya-dharma) as the rightful measure of excellence on the battlefield.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores kṣatriya-dharma: great deeds must be undertaken by those fit for them, and excellence in duty is acknowledged even by an opponent. Ethical worth here is tied to rightful capacity, courage, and steadfast performance of one’s role in a justly framed contest.
During the third day of battle, Bhīṣma, impressed by Arjuna’s speed and prowess, openly praises him and calls him to fight directly. Sanjaya reports this as part of the Bhīṣma–Duryodhana dialogue context, highlighting Bhīṣma’s admiration for Arjuna despite being on opposing sides.