Mahabharata — Bhishma Parva, Shloka 15
भीष्मस्य अप्रतिमपराक्रमः — शिखण्डिपुरस्कृतः प्रहारः
Bhīṣma’s unmatched momentum and the assault with Śikhaṇḍin in the lead
अभिमन्युं महाराज यान्तं भीष्मरथं प्रति । सुदक्षिणो महाराज काम्बोज: प्रत्यवारयत्,महाराज! भीष्मके रथकी ओर अग्रसर होनेवाले अभिमन्युको काम्बोजराज सुदक्षिणने रोका
abhimanyuṁ mahārāja yāntaṁ bhīṣmarathaṁ prati | sudakṣiṇo mahārāja kāmbojaḥ pratyavārayat ||
Sañjaya dit : Ô roi, tandis qu’Abhimanyu s’avançait vers le char de Bhīṣma, Sudakṣiṇa — le souverain des Kāmboja — lui barra la route et le repoussa. Dans la mêlée du combat, même l’élan d’un héros se heurte à une résistance vigilante ; et le devoir, des deux côtés, s’exprime par la protection inébranlable de son chef et de son dispositif.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights kṣatriya-duty in action: courage in advancing toward a formidable leader (Abhimanyu toward Bhīṣma) and vigilance in defense (Sudakṣiṇa restraining him). Dharma here appears as steadfast performance of one’s battlefield role—attack and protection—rather than personal ease or hesitation.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Abhimanyu is moving toward Bhīṣma’s chariot, but the Kāmboja king Sudakṣiṇa intercepts him and prevents him from reaching Bhīṣma at that moment.