Shloka 51
Rajo-dhūli-saṃmūḍha-saṅgrāmaḥ
The Dust-Obscured Battle and Mutual Charges
शरैरेकायनीकुर्वन् दिश: सर्वा यतव्रतः । जघान पाण्डवरथानादिश्यादिश्य भारत
śarair ekāyanīkurvan diśaḥ sarvā yatavrataḥ | jaghāna pāṇḍava-rathān ādiśyādiśya bhārata ||
Sañjaya dit : Observant ses vœux et ferme dans la discipline, Bhīṣma, par des volées de flèches, semblait tailler un seul passage net dans toutes les directions. Puis, ô Bhārata, il abattit les guerriers en chars des Pāṇḍava l’un après l’autre—les appelant par leur nom en les visant—et les fit tomber.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the Mahabharata’s recurring tension between ethical restraint and violent duty: Bhishma is portrayed as 'yatavrata'—self-governed by vows—yet he applies that discipline to fulfill his battlefield obligation. It suggests that inner restraint (vrata) can coexist with harsh action when one is committed to a chosen dharma, even though the moral cost of war remains implicit.
Sanjaya describes Bhishma’s dominance in battle: his arrows are so forceful and continuous that they seem to open a clear corridor in every direction. He then targets the Pandava chariot-fighters selectively, calling them out by name as he strikes them down, emphasizing precision, command, and intimidation on the battlefield.