Shloka 12
Amba’s Disclosure of Prior Choice (Śālva) and Appeal to Bhīṣma — Chapter 171
वासुदेवं च पार्थ च चक्रगाण्डीवधारिणौ । संध्यागताविवार्केन्दू समेष्येते रथोत्तमौ
vāsudevaṃ ca pārthaṃ ca cakragāṇḍīvadhāriṇau | saṃdhyāgatāv ivārkendū sameṣyete rathottamau ||
Bhīṣma said: “Vāsudeva and Pārtha—both supreme among charioteers—bear the discus and the Gāṇḍīva bow. When those two come together for battle, like the sun and the moon appearing at twilight, then I shall stand to face them.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights kṣatriya resolve and dharma-bound courage: even when confronted by the most formidable, divinely aided opponents, Bhīṣma affirms his duty to stand and face them. It also underscores the extraordinary power that arises when divine guidance (Kṛṣṇa) and human skill (Arjuna) unite.
Bhīṣma describes Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna as the foremost chariot-warriors, marked by their signature weapons (discus and Gāṇḍīva). Using the image of sun and moon meeting at twilight, he anticipates their joint arrival on the battlefield and declares his intention to confront them.