Shloka 9
भीष्म-युधिष्ठिर-संमर्दः
Bhīṣma’s Pressure on Yudhiṣṭhira; Śikhaṇḍī’s Approach; Evening Withdrawal
एवमुकक््त्वा धनुर्घोरं विकृष्योदभ्राम्य चासकृत् । समाधत्त शरान् घोरान् महाशनिसमप्रभान्,ऐसा कहकर भीमसेनने अपने भयंकर धनुषको बारंबार घुमाकर उसे बलपूर्वक खींचा और वज्रके समान तेजस्वी भयंकर बाणोंको उसके ऊपर रखा
evam uktvā dhanur ghoraṃ vikṛṣyodbhrāmya cāsakṛt | samādhatta śarān ghorān mahāśani-samaprabhān ||
Sañjaya said: Having spoken thus, Bhīmasena forcefully drew his dreadful bow, whirled it again and again, and then set upon it terrifying arrows whose brilliance was like that of a great thunderbolt—signaling his unwavering resolve to strike in the righteous fury of battle.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the warrior ethic of readiness and resolve: speech is immediately followed by disciplined action. In the Mahābhārata’s moral frame, such martial energy is meant to be directed by dharma—strength is shown not merely as rage, but as purposeful preparedness within the duties of battle.
After declaring his intent, Bhīma brandishes and draws his formidable bow repeatedly, then sets terrifying, thunderbolt-bright arrows upon it. The imagery intensifies the scene, showing that he is about to unleash powerful attacks.