Shloka 8
भीष्मरथाभिमुख्यं — Arjuna’s advance with Śikhaṇḍin; Duḥśāsana’s interception
धृष्टद्युम्नस्तु समरे क्रोधेनाग्निरिव ज्वलन् । पितामहूं त्रिभिबणिर्बाह्वोरुससि चार्पयत्
sañjaya uvāca | dhṛṣṭadyumnas tu samare krodhenāgnir iva jvalan | pitāmahaṃ tribhir bāṇair bāhvor urasi cārpayat ||
Sañjaya dit : Au plus fort de la bataille, Dhṛṣṭadyumna, flamboyant de colère comme un feu, frappa l’aïeul Bhīṣma de trois flèches, les plantant dans ses bras et sur sa poitrine.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the tension between personal reverence and the harsh demands of kṣatriya warfare: even a universally respected elder like Bhīṣma becomes a legitimate target when one is bound to one’s side and duty in battle, and uncontrolled wrath intensifies violence.
Sañjaya describes Dhṛṣṭadyumna surging forward in anger on the battlefield and striking Bhīṣma with three arrows, lodging them in Bhīṣma’s arms and chest.