Shloka 243
दिव्यैरस्त्रैर्महावीर्य: स हतो5द्य शिखण्डिना । “महान् व्रतधारी भीष्म कुरुकुलवृद्ध पुरुषोंके सत्कार करनेवाले और अपने पिताके बड़े भक्त थे। हाय! पूर्वकालमें जमदग्निनन्दन परशुराम भी अपने दिव्य अस्त्रोंद्वारा जिस मेरे महापराक्रमी पुत्रको पराजित न कर सके
divyair astrair mahāvīryaḥ sa hato 'dya śikhaṇḍinā | mahān vratadhārī bhīṣmaḥ kurukula-vṛddha-puruṣānāṃ satkāra-kartā ca pituḥ parama-bhaktaś ca | hāy! pūrvakāle jamadagninandanaḥ paraśurāmo 'pi divyāstrabhir yaṃ mama mahāparākramiṇaṃ putraṃ parājetuṃ na śaśāka, sa idānīṃ śikhaṇḍinaḥ hastena hataḥ | kīdṛśaṃ kaṣṭam etat ||
Vaiśampāyana berkata: “Pahlawan perkasa itu hari ini telah ditumbangkan oleh Śikhaṇḍin dengan senjata-senjata surgawi. Bhīṣma adalah pengamal tapa-brata yang agung, penghormat para sesepuh wangsa Kuru, dan hamba yang setia kepada ayahnya. Aduhai! Dahulu kala bahkan Paraśurāma putra Jamadagni pun tak sanggup menaklukkan putraku yang mahaperkasa dengan panah-panak ilahi; namun kini ia gugur di tangan Śikhaṇḍin. Betapa pedihnya ini!”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage highlights Bhīṣma’s ethical stature—steadfast vows, reverence for elders, and devotion to his father—while underscoring the tragic irony that even unmatched virtue and prowess do not guarantee worldly victory. It invites reflection on dharma as character and duty, distinct from the uncertain outcomes of war and fate.
Vaiśampāyana reports the fall of Bhīṣma: despite his legendary strength and the fact that even Paraśurāma once could not defeat him with divine weapons, Bhīṣma is now slain through Śikhaṇḍin’s agency. The speaker laments the painful reversal and emphasizes Bhīṣma’s exemplary qualities.