Shloka 11
भीष्मरथाभिमुख्यं — Arjuna’s advance with Śikhaṇḍin; Duḥśāsana’s interception
महाराज! उनके सायकोंसे अत्यन्त घायल होनेके कारण वे रक्तप्रवाहसे नहा उठे और वसन्तऋतुमें पुष्पोंसे भरे हुए रक्ताशोककी भाँति शोभा पाने लगे ।। तान् प्रत्यविध्यद् गाड़ेयस्सत्रिभिस्त्रिभिरजिद्ागै: । ट्रुपदस्य च भल्लेन धनुश्चिच्छेद मारिष,आर्य! उस समय गंगानन्दन भीष्मने उन सबको तीन-तीन सीधे जानेवाले बाणोंसे घायल कर दिया और एक भल्लके द्वारा द्रपदका धनुष काट दिया
sañjaya uvāca | mahārāja! teṣāṃ sāyakair atyanta-ghātatvāt te rudhira-pravāhena snātā iva babhūvuḥ, vasantar̥tau puṣpa-bharita-raktāśoka iva śobhāṃ lebhire || tān pratyavidhyad gāṅgeyaḥ sa-tribhis tribhir ajihmagaiḥ | drupadasya ca bhallena dhanuś ciccheda mārīṣa ||
Sanjaya berkata: “Wahai Raja, tertembus hebat oleh anak panah itu, mereka tampak seakan mandi dalam aliran darah, dan bersinar laksana pohon aśoka merah di musim semi yang sarat bunga. Lalu Bhīṣma, putra Sungai Gaṅgā, menembus masing-masing dari mereka dengan tiga anak panah yang melesat lurus; dan dengan sebuah panah bermata lebar ia memutus busur Drupada.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣatriya code in war: skill and firmness are expected, yet actions often remain within recognizable battlefield norms—such as disabling an opponent by cutting the bow. It also shows how epic poetry frames even grim violence through aesthetic imagery, inviting reflection on duty, restraint, and the cost of conflict.
Sanjaya describes warriors badly wounded and drenched in blood, likened to red aśoka trees in spring. Bhīṣma then counterattacks, striking each opponent with three straight arrows, and specifically severs King Drupada’s bow with a bhalla, effectively disarming him.