Shloka 116
भीष्मस्य अप्रतिमपराक्रमः — शिखण्डिपुरस्कृतः प्रहारः
Bhīṣma’s unmatched momentum and the assault with Śikhaṇḍin in the lead
विकर्णो वारयामास इच्छन् भीष्मस्य जीवितम् | इसी प्रकार शूरवीर नकुल बहुत-से सायकोंकी वर्षा कर रहे थे, परंतु भीष्मके जीवनकी रक्षा चाहनेवाले विकर्णने उन्हें रोक दिया
vikarṇo vārayāmāsa icchan bhīṣmasya jīvitam |
Sañjaya berkata: Demi menjaga nyawa Bhīṣma, Vikarṇa menahan serangan itu. Walau Nakula yang gagah sedang menghujani dengan banyak anak panah, Vikarṇa—bertekad melindungi Bhīṣma—mencegahnya maju.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a battlefield ethic where allegiance and protective duty toward a revered commander (Bhīṣma) can compel a warrior (Vikarṇa) to restrain even a legitimate enemy assault, showing how dharma in war includes guarding those one is bound to honor and defend.
During the Kurukṣetra fighting, Nakula is raining arrows, but Vikarṇa intervenes to stop him because he wants Bhīṣma to remain alive, indicating active protection of Bhīṣma by Kaurava allies amid intense combat.