Shloka 29
भीष्मरक्षण-प्रकरणम् / The Protective Screen around Bhīṣma and the Śalya–Yudhiṣṭhira Clash
निर्वेद परमं गत्वा विनिन्द्य परवश्यताम् | दीर्घ दध्यौ शान्तनवो योद्धुकामोअ<र्जुनं रणे,इससे उनके मनमें बड़ा खेद हुआ। भीष्मने पराधीनताकी भूरि-भूरि निन््दा करके रणभूमिमें अर्जुनके साथ युद्ध करनेका संकल्प लेकर दीर्घकालतक विचार किया
sañjaya uvāca | nirvedaṃ paramaṃ gatvā vinindya paravaśyatām | dīrghaṃ dadhyau śāntanavo yoddhukāmo 'rjunaṃ raṇe ||
Sanjaya said: Having fallen into the deepest remorse, and after strongly condemning the state of being under another’s control, the son of Śāntanu (Bhīṣma) reflected for a long time, resolved to fight Arjuna on the battlefield. The verse highlights Bhīṣma’s inner conflict: he recognizes the moral pain of compelled service, yet chooses the warrior’s duty as he understands it, turning deliberation into a firm decision to meet Arjuna in combat.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds the ethical tension between personal moral discomfort (nirveda) and compelled obligation (paravaśyatā). Bhīṣma condemns subjection to another’s will, yet, bound by his vows and role, he channels his reflection into a determined acceptance of battle-duty, illustrating how agency can be constrained by prior commitments.
Sanjaya reports Bhīṣma’s state of mind: he experiences profound regret, criticizes the condition of being controlled by others, then thinks deeply for a long time and finally resolves to fight Arjuna in the war.