Shloka 10
भीष्मपर्व — अध्याय ९६: सौभद्रस्य आक्रमणम्, अलम्बुसस्य प्रतिविधानम्
Abhimanyu’s assault; Alambusa’s counter-engagement
तेषां च रक्षणार्थाय युध्यते फाल्गुन: परै: । एतज्ज्ञात्वा महाबाहो कार्यद्वयमुपस्थितम्
teṣāṃ ca rakṣaṇārthāya yudhyate phālgunaḥ paraiḥ | etaj jñātvā mahābāho kāryadvayam upasthitam ||
Sañjaya said: “And for their protection, Phālguna (Arjuna) is fighting against the others. Knowing this, O mighty-armed one, you now face a twofold duty—what must be done has presented itself in two competing claims.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a warrior’s ethical tension: protection of one’s side is a legitimate duty, yet circumstances can present a ‘twofold task’ where competing obligations arise. It points to dharma as situational—requiring discernment when duties conflict.
Sañjaya reports that Arjuna is actively fighting to protect his people. He then tells the addressed hero (called ‘Mahābāhu’) that, in light of this, two urgent courses of action or responsibilities have now presented themselves.