Shloka 34
Adhyāya 111 (Book 6): Daśama-dina-saṃgrāma—Bhīṣma’s Counsel to Yudhiṣṭhira and the Śikhaṇḍin-Led Advance
तमेक॑ समरे भीष्म त्वरमाणं महारथम् | पाण्डवा: समवर्तन्त वजहस्तमिवासुरा:,समरभूमिमें फुर्ती दिखानेवाले एकमात्र महारथी भीष्मपर समस्त पाण्डवोंने उसी प्रकार धावा किया, जैसे असुर वज्रधारी इन्द्रपर आक्रमण करते हैं
tam ekaṃ samare bhīṣma tvaramāṇaṃ mahāratham | pāṇḍavāḥ samavartanta vajrahastam ivāsurāḥ ||
Sañjaya dijo: En aquella batalla, al ver a Bhīṣma —el único gran guerrero de carro que avanzaba con presteza— todos los Pāṇḍavas se lanzaron juntos contra él, como los Asuras se precipitaron antaño a asaltar a Indra, el portador del rayo.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical tension of war: even an elder like Bhīṣma, bound by his chosen duty and allegiance, becomes the focal point of combat; the Pāṇḍavas, committed to their cause, must confront him collectively. It reflects how dharma in the Mahābhārata often involves difficult action against revered persons when duty and justice demand it.
Sañjaya reports that Bhīṣma, advancing swiftly as the standout great warrior on the field, is charged by all the Pāṇḍavas together. Their assault is compared to the Asuras rushing at Indra, emphasizing the intensity and scale of the attack.