Shloka 23
Chapter 51: Saṃdhyākāla-saṃhāra
Evening Withdrawal after Arjuna’s Counter-Advance
पराक्रान्तस्य तस्यैव भीष्मो5पि प्राहिणोच्छरान् | सतांश्रिच्छेद समरे भीष्मचापच्युतान् शरान्
parākrāntasya tasyaiva bhīṣmo 'pi prāhiṇoc charān | satāṁśriccheda samare bhīṣmacāpacyutān śarān |
Sañjaya dit : Bhīṣma lui-même, voyant la vaillance de ce guerrier, décocha des flèches contre lui. Mais, au cœur de la mêlée, Abhimanyu trancha chacune des flèches parties de l’arc de Bhīṣma, montrant non seulement une maîtrise guerrière, mais la résolution inébranlable attendue d’un kṣatriya dans la guerre juste.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights kṣatriya-dharma in practice: steadfastness and disciplined skill in battle. Even when faced with a revered elder-warrior like Bhīṣma, the younger hero meets force with controlled mastery, suggesting that duty in a righteous conflict demands courage without panic and competence without cruelty.
Sañjaya describes Bhīṣma shooting arrows at a mighty warrior; Abhimanyu responds by cutting down the incoming arrows in mid-battle, neutralizing Bhīṣma’s attack and demonstrating exceptional prowess.