Shloka 48
भीष्मस्य अप्रतिमपराक्रमः — शिखण्डिपुरस्कृतः प्रहारः
Bhīṣma’s unmatched momentum and the assault with Śikhaṇḍin in the lead
शरै: सुनिशितै: पार्थ यथा वृत्र पुरंदर: । निर्बिभेद महाकायो विव्यथे नैव चार्जुन:
śaraiḥ suniśitaiḥ pārtha yathā vṛtra-puraṃdaraḥ | nirbibheda mahākāyo vivyathe naiva cārjunaḥ ||
Sañjaya dit : «De flèches aiguisées comme des rasoirs, le puissant guerrier transperça Arjuna, comme Indra, le vainqueur de Vṛtra, arrête et terrasse Vṛtra. Bien que ces traits le perçassent et le taillassent, Arjuna ne chancela point et ne ressentit aucune détresse, révélant une fermeté inébranlable au cœur de la mêlée.»
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights heroic steadiness: even when physically wounded, a disciplined warrior does not lose composure. Ethically, it underscores kṣatriya fortitude—enduring hardship without surrendering to fear or agitation.
Sañjaya describes Arjuna being struck by extremely sharp arrows, compared to Indra overpowering Vṛtra. Despite being pierced, Arjuna remains unshaken and shows no visible distress.