Shloka 55
Adhyāya 111 (Book 6): Daśama-dina-saṃgrāma—Bhīṣma’s Counsel to Yudhiṣṭhira and the Śikhaṇḍin-Led Advance
नावहास्या यथा वीर भवेम परमाहवे । तथा कुरु रणे यत्नं साधयस्व पितामहम्,“वीर! इस महायुद्धमें जैसे भी हमलोग हँसीके पात्र न बनें, वैसा प्रयत्न करो। रणक्षेत्रमें पितामह भीष्मको अवश्य मार डालो
nāvahāsyā yathā vīra bhavema paramāhave | tathā kuru raṇe yatnaṃ sādhayasva pitāmaham ||
Sañjaya dit : «Ô héros, agis de telle sorte que, dans cette bataille suprême, nous ne devenions pas la risée de tous. Aussi, redouble d’efforts sur le champ de guerre et abats l’Aïeul (Bhīṣma).»
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse stresses the kṣatriya concern for honor and collective reputation in war: one must act decisively and exert full effort so that one’s side is not disgraced, even when the opponent is a revered elder like Bhīṣma.
Sañjaya urges a leading warrior on the Kaurava side (contextually, Duryodhana) to intensify efforts in battle and ensure Bhīṣma’s downfall, warning that failure will make their side a target of public mockery.