Shloka 11
अध्याय ८८ — घटोत्कच-दुर्योधनयुद्धवर्णनम्
Ghaṭotkaca–Duryodhana Engagement
विध्वंसयित्वा समरे धनुष्मान् गाण्डीवमुक्तिर्निशितै: पृषत्कै: । भीष्म यियासुर्युधि संददर्श दुर्योधन सैन्धवादीं श्व राज्ञ:,इधर धनुर्धर अर्जुन भी त्रिगर्ततमजके साथ उन नरवीरोंको आते देख संग्रामशूमिमें गाण्डीव धनुषसे छोड़े हुए तीखे बाणोंद्वारा उन्हें नष्ट करके भीष्मजीके पास जाना चाहते थे, इतनेहीमें उन्होंने युद्धस्थलमें राजा दुर्योधन और सिन्धुराज जयद्रथ आदिको देखा
vidhvaṁsayitvā samare dhanuṣmān gāṇḍīvamuktir niśitaiḥ pṛṣatkaiḥ | bhīṣmaṁ yiyāsur yudhi saṁdadarśa duryodhanaṁ saindhavādīṁś ca rājñaḥ ||
Sañjaya said: Having destroyed in battle those bowmen with sharp arrows released from the Gāṇḍīva, Arjuna—intending to go toward Bhīṣma on the field—then caught sight, in the midst of the fight, of King Duryodhana and the Sindhu king (Jayadratha) and others.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights disciplined martial focus: even after successfully neutralizing immediate threats, Arjuna keeps his larger objective in view (moving toward Bhīṣma), yet remains alert to shifting battlefield realities (spotting Duryodhana and Jayadratha). It reflects kṣatriya-dharma as a balance of resolve, vigilance, and strategic responsiveness.
Sañjaya reports that Arjuna, after cutting down opposing bowmen with sharp arrows from the Gāṇḍīva, intends to advance toward Bhīṣma. At that moment, he notices Duryodhana and the Sindhu-king Jayadratha (and others) positioned on the battlefield, indicating a new tactical situation.