Shloka 48
Vāsudeva-Māhātmya: Duryodhana’s Inquiry and Bhīṣma’s Theological Account of Keśava
नोदयाश्वान् यतो भीष्मो विगाहैतद् बलार्णवम् | पातयिष्यामि दुर्धर्ष वृद्धं कुकपितामहम्
sañjaya uvāca | nodayāśvān yato bhīṣmo vigāhaitad balārṇavam | pātayiṣyāmi durdharṣaṃ vṛddhaṃ kuru-pitāmaham ||
Sañjaya dit : Arjuna, s’adressant à Kṛṣṇa, le pressa de lancer les chevaux droit vers l’endroit où se tenait Bhīṣma et de s’enfoncer dans cet océan de troupes. Puis, proclamant sa résolution, il jura qu’en ce jour même il ferait tomber de son char le redoutable et vénérable aïeul des Kuru—Bhīṣma.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights kshatriya resolve within dharma: decisive action in battle is framed as duty, yet it is undertaken through reliance on rightful guidance—Arjuna’s command is directed to Krishna as charioteer, implying disciplined agency rather than reckless violence.
Arjuna instructs Krishna to drive the chariot into the thick of the Kaurava host toward Bhishma’s position, declaring that he will bring the formidable elder Bhishma down from his chariot that day.