Shloka 65
Vāsudeva-Māhātmya: Duryodhana’s Inquiry and Bhīṣma’s Theological Account of Keśava
ततस्तु कृष्ण: समरे दृष्टवा भीष्मपराक्रमम् । सम्प्रेक्ष्य च महाबाहु: पार्थस्य मृदुयुद्धताम्
tatas tu kṛṣṇaḥ samare dṛṣṭvā bhīṣma-parākramam | samprekṣya ca mahābāhuḥ pārthasya mṛdu-yuddhatām ||
Sañjaya dit : Alors Kṛṣṇa, aux bras puissants, voyant sur le champ de bataille l’effrayante prouesse de Bhīṣma et constatant que Pārtha (Arjuna) combattait avec une douceur excessive, médita sur la tension du devoir en cet instant : la retenue née du respect, mal placée dans une heure de crise, peut laisser se répandre une ruine plus grande sur son propre camp.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a dharmic dilemma: personal reverence and softness toward an elder (Bhīṣma) can become ethically problematic when it results in greater destruction and failure to protect one’s rightful cause. In a crisis, duty must be performed with clarity and firmness, not with paralyzing attachment.
Sañjaya reports that Kṛṣṇa observes Bhīṣma’s overwhelming effectiveness in battle and notices that Arjuna is fighting too gently. This observation sets up Kṛṣṇa’s ensuing resolve to counter Bhīṣma’s onslaught and to press Arjuna toward decisive action.