Shloka 48
भीष्मधनंजयद्वैरथम्
Bhīṣma–Dhanaṃjaya Duel and the Opening Clash
अर्जुन: पञ्चविंशत्या भीष्ममार्च्छच्छितै: शरै:
arjunaḥ pañcaviṃśatyā bhīṣmam ārcchacchitaiḥ śaraiḥ
Sañjaya dit : Arjuna, de vingt-cinq flèches, frappa Bhīṣma—poussant la bataille en avant avec une force disciplinée contre le grand aïeul, pilier premier des Kaurava. L’instant souligne l’éthique sombre de Kurukṣetra : même le plus vénérable doit être affronté lorsqu’il soutient une cause injuste.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the hard edge of dharma in war: personal reverence cannot override duty when an elder supports adharma. Arjuna’s measured, skillful assault symbolizes disciplined action performed for a larger moral obligation rather than personal hatred.
Sañjaya reports that Arjuna shoots and hits Bhīṣma with twenty-five arrows during the Kurukṣetra battle, intensifying the combat against the Kauravas’ chief defender.