Shloka 58
भीष्मस्य शरशय्या-प्राप्तिः
Bhīṣma’s Fall to the Arrow-Bed
(पार्थोडपि समरे राजन् दुःशासनमताडयत् | ताडिते बहुधा पुत्रे पार्थबाणैरजिद्दागै: ।।
sañjaya uvāca | pārtho 'pi samare rājan duḥśāsanam atāḍayat | tāḍite bahudhā putre pārtha-bāṇair ajiddhagaiḥ || babhūva vyathitā senā dṛṣṭvā pārtha-parākramam | punaś ca tāḍitā tena pārthenāmitatejasā || sa vadhyamānā samare putrasya tava vāhinī | loḍyate rathibhiḥ śreṣṭhais tatra tatraiva bhārata ||
Sañjaya berkata: Wahai Raja, Pārtha pun di medan laga menghantam Duḥśāsana, melukainya parah dengan anak panahnya yang melesat lurus. Ketika putramu tertusuk berulang kali oleh panah Pārtha, seluruh bala tentara pun gelisah menyaksikan kegagahan Pārtha. Arjuna yang bercahaya tak terukur itu terus menyiksanya berkali-kali. Dan ketika pasukan putramu sedang dibantai dalam pertempuran, wahai Bhārata, mereka dipukul, diacak-acak, dan tercerai-berai di sana-sini oleh para kesatria kereta yang terunggul.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how righteous resolve and superior skill can break an unjust force not only physically but psychologically: morale collapses when adharma-driven power meets disciplined valor. It also reflects the kṣatriya ethic of steadfastness in battle and the real consequences of prior wrongdoing returning as vulnerability on the field.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Arjuna repeatedly pierces Duḥśāsana with swift, straight arrows. Seeing Arjuna’s prowess, the Kaurava army becomes shaken and disordered, being battered and scattered by leading chariot-warriors across the battlefield.