Shloka 7
Ghaṭotkaca Slays Alāyudha (Night Battle and Māyā Countermeasures) / घटोत्कचेन अलायुधवधः
एतेनैवार्जुनं ज्ञातुमलं कौरव संयुगे । यच्छिखण्ड्यवधीदू भीष्मं पाल्यमान: किरीटिना,कुरुनन्दन! अर्जुनको तो केवल इसी बातसे समझ लेना चाहिये था कि उनके द्वारा सुरक्षित होकर शिखण्डीने भी युद्धके मैदानमें भीष्मको मार डाला
etenaivārjunaṁ jñātum alaṁ kaurava saṁyuge | yac chikhaṇḍy avadhīd bhīṣmaṁ pālyamānaḥ kirīṭinā, kurunandana |
Wahai keturunan Kuru, dalam perang melawan para Kaurava, hal ini saja seharusnya cukup untuk membuat Arjuna mengerti: bahwa Śikhaṇḍī mampu menjatuhkan Bhīṣma di medan laga hanya karena berada dalam lindungan Arjuna sang pemakai mahkota.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights that outcomes in war often depend on enabling conditions: Śikhaṇḍī could bring down Bhīṣma only because Arjuna shielded him. Ethically, it underscores responsibility for indirect causation—protection, positioning, and restraint can be as decisive as the final blow.
Sañjaya reminds the Kuru listener that Arjuna’s protection made it possible for Śikhaṇḍī to confront Bhīṣma, who would not retaliate against Śikhaṇḍī. Under Arjuna’s cover, Śikhaṇḍī’s attack led to Bhīṣma’s downfall on the battlefield.