Shloka 47
Vāsudeva-Māhātmya: Duryodhana’s Inquiry and Bhīṣma’s Theological Account of Keśava
एवमुक्त: प्रत्युवाच वासुदेव॑ धनंजय:
evaṁ uktaḥ pratyuvāca vāsudevaṁ dhanañjayaḥ— “bhagavan, etān aśvān hāṅkṛtvā tatraiva nayatu yatra bhīṣmo vartate. asmin senā-samudre praviśatu. adya ahaṁ kuru-kula-vṛddhaṁ pitāmahaṁ durdharṣaṁ vīraṁ bhīṣmaṁ rathāt pātayiṣyāmi.”
Sañjaya dit : Ainsi apostrophé, Dhanañjaya (Arjuna) répondit à Vāsudeva (Kṛṣṇa) : «Seigneur, mène ces chevaux et conduis-nous là où se tient Bhīṣma. Pénètre dans cet océan d’armées. Aujourd’hui, je ferai tomber de son char l’aïeul vénérable des Kuru, l’invincible héros Bhīṣma.»
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even amid reverence for elders, a warrior’s dharma may require firm action against a formidable opponent; Arjuna channels his resolve through reliance on Kṛṣṇa’s guidance, showing duty performed with disciplined purpose rather than personal hatred.
After being addressed, Arjuna instructs Kṛṣṇa to drive the chariot into the thick of battle toward Bhīṣma’s position, declaring his intention to topple the Kuru grandsire from his chariot that very day.