Shloka 2
त॑ प्रत्यविध्यद् दशभिर्भीष्म: शान्तनव: शरै: | रुक्मपुड्खैर्महेष्वास: कृतहस्तो महाबल:,तब महाधनुर्धर महाबली तथा शीघ्रतापूर्वक हाथ चलानेवाले शान्तनुनन्दन भीष्मने सोनेके पंखवाले दस बाण मारकर विराटको भी घायल कर दिया
taṁ pratyavidhyad daśabhir bhīṣmaḥ śāntanavaḥ śaraiḥ | rukmapuḍkhair maheṣvāsaḥ kṛtahastaḥ mahābalaḥ ||
Sañjaya said: Then Bhīṣma, the son of Śāntanu—mighty in strength, a great archer, and swift and sure in the use of his hands—struck him in return with ten arrows, their shafts adorned with golden feathers. In the relentless duty of the battlefield (kṣātra-dharma), the exchange of blows continues without hesitation, each warrior answering force with force.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse reflects kṣātra-dharma in its stark form: on the battlefield, a warrior responds decisively to an attack, demonstrating trained skill and steadfast resolve. It highlights disciplined competence (kṛtahasta) and the duty-bound continuity of combat rather than personal malice.
Sañjaya narrates that Bhīṣma, famed as a mighty archer and son of Śāntanu, counters an opponent by piercing him with ten golden-fletched arrows, continuing the exchange of missile warfare in the Kurukṣetra battle.