Shloka 10
भीष्मभीमसमागमः — Bhīṣma–Bhīma Strategic Engagement and Counsel to the King
पाण्डवांश्ष रणे जेष्ये मां वा जेष्पन्ति पाण्डवा: । एवमुक््त्वा ददावस्मै विशल्यकरणीं शुभाम्
pāṇḍavāṃś ca raṇe jeṣye māṃ vā jeṣyanti pāṇḍavāḥ | evam uktvā dadāv asmai viśalyakaraṇīṃ śubhām ||
Sañjaya said: “Either I shall defeat the Pāṇḍavas in battle, or the Pāṇḍavas will defeat me.” Having spoken thus, he gave him the auspicious herb called Viśalyakaraṇī, the remover of arrow-points—showing that even amid war’s harsh vows of victory, the duty to preserve life and render aid still asserts its moral claim.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in a context defined by vows of victory and defeat, dharma can manifest as the duty to protect life and relieve suffering; the giving of a healing remedy highlights ethical responsibility that persists within warfare.
Sañjaya reports a warrior’s resolve—either he will defeat the Pāṇḍavas or be defeated by them—and then describes the giving of the auspicious Viśalyakaraṇī, a medicinal herb used to remove embedded arrow-points and heal wounds.