Shloka 7
Ghaṭotkaca Slays Alāyudha (Night Battle and Māyā Countermeasures) / घटोत्कचेन अलायुधवधः
एतेनैवार्जुनं ज्ञातुमलं कौरव संयुगे । यच्छिखण्ड्यवधीदू भीष्मं पाल्यमान: किरीटिना,कुरुनन्दन! अर्जुनको तो केवल इसी बातसे समझ लेना चाहिये था कि उनके द्वारा सुरक्षित होकर शिखण्डीने भी युद्धके मैदानमें भीष्मको मार डाला
etenaivārjunaṁ jñātum alaṁ kaurava saṁyuge | yac chikhaṇḍy avadhīd bhīṣmaṁ pālyamānaḥ kirīṭinā, kurunandana |
Sañjaya said: “This alone should have been enough to make Arjuna understand, O descendant of Kuru, in the battle with the Kauravas: that Śikhaṇḍī was able to strike down Bhīṣma on the battlefield only while being protected by the diadem-wearing Arjuna. The event itself shows how decisive Arjuna’s guardianship and strategic restraint were in bringing down the grandsire.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights that outcomes in war often depend on enabling conditions: Śikhaṇḍī could bring down Bhīṣma only because Arjuna shielded him. Ethically, it underscores responsibility for indirect causation—protection, positioning, and restraint can be as decisive as the final blow.
Sañjaya reminds the Kuru listener that Arjuna’s protection made it possible for Śikhaṇḍī to confront Bhīṣma, who would not retaliate against Śikhaṇḍī. Under Arjuna’s cover, Śikhaṇḍī’s attack led to Bhīṣma’s downfall on the battlefield.