Shloka 17
शयनं कल्पयामासुर्भीष्मायामितकर्मणे | सोपधान नरव्याप्र शरै: संनतपर्वभि:,पुरुषसिंह! वे क्षत्रियरधर्मका विचार करके अत्यन्त विस्मित और प्रसन्न हुए। फिर अपने कठोरतापूर्ण धर्मकी निन््दा करते हुए उन्होंने महात्मा भीष्मको प्रणाम किया और उन अमित पराक्रमी भीष्मके लिये झुकी हुई गाँठवाले बाणोंद्वारा तकिये और शय्याकी रचना की
śayanaṃ kalpayāmāsur bhīṣmāyāmitakarmaṇe | sopadhānaṃ naravyāghra śaraiḥ saṃnataparvabhiḥ ||
Sañjaya said: For Bhīṣma, whose deeds were boundless, they arranged a bed—complete with a pillow, O tiger among men—fashioning it from arrows whose joints were bent. The scene underscores a grim wartime ethic: even amid relentless violence, the warriors acknowledge Bhīṣma’s stature and seek to honor him with the best care their battlefield means allow.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a tension within kṣatriya-dharma: warfare demands harsh action, yet honor and reverence toward a great elder-warrior persist. Even on the battlefield, ethical conduct is shown through care, respect, and recognition of merit.
After Bhīṣma has fallen and lies on arrows, the warriors arrange for him a proper resting place—making a bed and pillow out of arrows with bent joints—so that he may lie with some support despite the brutal circumstances.