Shloka 48
भीष्मस्य जलप्रार्थना — अर्जुनस्य पर्जन्यास्त्रप्रयोगः — दुर्योधनं प्रति सन्ध्युपदेशः
Bhīṣma’s request for water; Arjuna’s Parjanya-astra; counsel to Duryodhana on reconciliation
भीष्मस्य निधनाकाडुश्षी पुरस्कृत्य शिखण्डिनम् । आससाद रणे वीरांस्तावकान् दश भारत
bhīṣmasya nidhanākāṅkṣī puraskṛtya śikhaṇḍinam | āsasāda raṇe vīrāṁs tāvakān daśa bhārata bharatanandana ||
Sañjaya dit : Arjuna, résolu à la mort de Bhīṣma, s’avança dans la bataille après avoir placé Śikhaṇḍin devant lui. Il fit face, de ton côté, à dix guerriers héroïques—ces mêmes champions contre lesquels Bhīma combattait sur ce champ. La scène souligne une stratégie façonnée par une contrainte morale : Arjuna veut abattre Bhīṣma en se servant de Śikhaṇḍin pour contourner le vœu de Bhīṣma de ne pas combattre celui qu’il tient pour une femme.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how dharma and personal vows shape battlefield conduct: Bhīṣma’s ethical restraint regarding Śikhaṇḍin becomes a decisive strategic factor, showing that moral commitments can alter the course of war as much as weapons do.
Arjuna advances to face ten Kaurava-side heroes while Bhīma is already engaged with them; Arjuna’s specific aim is Bhīṣma’s fall, and he places Śikhaṇḍin at the front to neutralize Bhīṣma’s resistance and enable the impending takedown.