Shloka 266
भीमसेन-दुर्योधन-समागमः
Bhīmasena–Duryodhana Engagement at Sunset
शरैबहुभिरानर्च्छत् पितरं ते जनेश्वर । जनेश्वर! तत्पश्चात् उस युद्धमें सात्यकिने शीघ्र ही आपके ताऊ भीष्मके पास पहुँचकर धनुषको कानोंतक खींचकर चलाये हुए बहुत-से तीखे एवं तेज सायकोंद्वारा उन्हें बहुत पीड़ा दी
śaraibahubhir ānarccat pitaraṃ te janeśvara | janeśvara! tatpaścāt tasmin yuddhe sātyakir śīghram eva tava tātam bhīṣmam upetya dhanuḥ karṇāntam ākarṣya pracalitair bahubhis tīkṣṇaiḥ tejasvibhiḥ sāyakair atīvābādhata |
Sañjaya said: O lord of men, with many arrows he fiercely assailed your revered elder. Then, in that battle, Satyaki swiftly reached your grand-uncle Bhīṣma and, drawing his bow back to the ear, tormented him with numerous sharp, blazing shafts. The scene lays bare the grim law of war: even the most venerable are not spared when duty to one’s side demands relentless combat.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the harsh moral tension of kṣatriya-dharma: in war, one may be compelled to fight even the most venerable elders. Reverence remains inwardly acknowledged, yet duty to one’s cause and the rules of combat drive decisive action.
Sanjaya reports to Dhritarashtra that Satyaki quickly closes in on Bhishma and, drawing his bow to full extent, strikes him with many sharp, powerful arrows, causing him great pain amid the ongoing battle.