Shloka 37
Adhyāya 111 (Book 6): Daśama-dina-saṃgrāma—Bhīṣma’s Counsel to Yudhiṣṭhira and the Śikhaṇḍin-Led Advance
संग्रामभूमिमें युद्ध करते हुए भीष्मका इन्द्रधनुषके समान विशाल धनुष सदा मण्डलाकार ही दिखायी देता था ।।
sañjaya uvāca | saṅgrāmabhūmau yuddhaṃ kurvato bhīṣmasya indradhanuṣa iva viśālaṃ dhanuḥ sadā maṇḍalākāram eva dṛśyate sma | tad dṛṣṭvā samare karma putrās tava viśāmpate vismayaṃ paramaṃ gatvā pitāmaham apūjayan prajānātha |
Sañjaya dit : Sur le champ de bataille, même en combattant, le grand arc de Bhīṣma—vaste comme l’arc-en-ciel d’Indra—semblait toujours décrire un cercle parfait. Voyant cet exploit dans le choc des armes, tes fils, ô seigneur des peuples, furent saisis d’un étonnement extrême et se mirent à louer et à honorer, encore et encore, le Grand Aïeul.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how extraordinary skill and steadfastness in one’s appointed duty (here, the warrior’s role in battle) can inspire awe and rally followers. It also shows how admiration for excellence can momentarily override fear and doubt, shaping morale and allegiance in a dharma-framed conflict.
Sanjaya describes Bhishma fighting so swiftly that his great bow appears to trace a continuous circle, likened to a rainbow. Witnessing this, Dhritarashtra’s sons are overwhelmed with amazement and repeatedly praise and honor Bhishma on the battlefield.