Shloka 53
भीष्मस्य शरशय्या-प्राप्तिः
Bhīṣma’s Fall to the Arrow-Bed
चेकितानं रणे यत्तं भीष्म प्रति जनेश्वर । चित्रसेनस्तव सुतः क्रुद्धसर्पमवारयत्
Cekitānaṃ raṇe yattaṃ Bhīṣmaṃ prati janeśvara | Citrasenas tava sutaḥ kruddha-sarpam avārayat ||
Sañjaya berkata: “Wahai penguasa manusia, ketika Cekitāna yang menggebu di medan laga maju menyerang Bhīṣma, putramu Citrasena menahannya di medan perang—laksana mengekang ular yang murka.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in the chaos of war, dharma appears as disciplined action: protecting one’s leader and maintaining the battle-line can be as crucial as striking blows. The simile of the 'enraged serpent' highlights the need to restrain uncontrolled fury through steadiness and resolve.
Cekitāna advances fiercely to attack Bhīṣma. Citrasena, a son of Dhṛtarāṣṭra, intercepts and stops him on the battlefield, preventing Cekitāna from reaching Bhīṣma.