भीष्मपर्व — अध्याय ११०: पार्थभीमयोः प्रहारः तथा भीष्माभिमुखं संग्रामविस्तारः
Arjuna and Bhima’s pressure; escalation toward Bhishma
(अर्जुनस्य वच: श्रुत्वा भीष्मस्य वधसंयुतम् । जद्वषुहष्टरोमाण: सकृष्णा: पाण्डवास्तदा ।।
arjunasya vacaḥ śrutvā bhīṣmasya vadha-saṁyutam | hṛṣṭa-romāṇaḥ sa-kṛṣṇāḥ pāṇḍavās tadā || ityevaṁ niścayaṁ kṛtvā pāṇḍavāḥ saha-mādhavāḥ | anumānya mahātmānaṁ prayayuṣ ṭa-mānasāḥ || śayanāni yathāsvāni bhejire puruṣarṣabhāḥ ||
En entendant les paroles d’Arjuna—paroles liées à la résolution de faire tomber Bhīṣma—les Pāṇḍava, avec Kṛṣṇa parmi eux, furent saisis d’une grande joie. Submergés par l’allégresse, leurs corps frémirent de chair de poule. Ayant ainsi arrêté une décision ferme, les Pāṇḍava avec Mādhava, satisfaits au fond d’eux-mêmes, prirent congé du magnanime Bhīṣma et s’en allèrent; puis ces meilleurs des hommes regagnèrent chacun sa couche.
अजुन उवाच
The passage highlights the ethical complexity of righteous war: one may be compelled to oppose and even bring down a revered elder like Bhīṣma, yet must do so with deliberation, resolve, and continued respect—balancing strategic necessity with dharmic restraint.
After hearing Arjuna’s statement concerning the means of overcoming Bhīṣma, the Pāṇḍavas (with Kṛṣṇa) feel renewed confidence and joy, finalize their decision, respectfully take leave of Bhīṣma, and return to their quarters to rest.