Shloka 11
अध्याय ८८ — घटोत्कच-दुर्योधनयुद्धवर्णनम्
Ghaṭotkaca–Duryodhana Engagement
विध्वंसयित्वा समरे धनुष्मान् गाण्डीवमुक्तिर्निशितै: पृषत्कै: । भीष्म यियासुर्युधि संददर्श दुर्योधन सैन्धवादीं श्व राज्ञ:
vidhvaṁsayitvā samare dhanuṣmān gāṇḍīvamuktir niśitaiḥ pṛṣatkaiḥ | bhīṣmaṁ yiyāsur yudhi saṁdadarśa duryodhanaṁ saindhavādīṁś ca rājñaḥ ||
Sañjaya dit : Après avoir détruit dans la bataille ces archers par les flèches acérées lancées du Gāṇḍīva, Arjuna, qui voulait se porter vers Bhishma sur le champ de guerre, aperçut alors, au cœur du combat, le roi Duryodhana et le roi du Sindhu (Jayadratha), parmi d’autres.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights disciplined martial focus: even after successfully neutralizing immediate threats, Arjuna keeps his larger objective in view (moving toward Bhīṣma), yet remains alert to shifting battlefield realities (spotting Duryodhana and Jayadratha). It reflects kṣatriya-dharma as a balance of resolve, vigilance, and strategic responsiveness.
Sañjaya reports that Arjuna, after cutting down opposing bowmen with sharp arrows from the Gāṇḍīva, intends to advance toward Bhīṣma. At that moment, he notices Duryodhana and the Sindhu-king Jayadratha (and others) positioned on the battlefield, indicating a new tactical situation.