Shloka 256

भीष्मवधोपाय-प्रश्नः (Inquiry into the means to overcome Bhīṣma) | Chapter 103

Devanagari script

वयं पार्थ हनिष्यामो भीष्मद्रोणपुरोगमा: । “अतः तुम तुरंत जाकर युद्धके मैदानमें वीर सुभद्राकुमारका वध करो और हमलोग भीष्म तथा द्रोणाचार्यको आगे करके अर्जुनको मार डालेंगे!

Transliteration

vayaṃ pārtha haniṣyāmo bhīṣma-droṇa-purogamāḥ |

Translation

Sanjaya said: “O Partha, with Bhishma and Drona leading our forces, we shall slay you.” The line conveys the Kaurava side’s hardened resolve to pursue victory through the might of revered elders, highlighting the moral tension of war where strategic ambition overrides reverence and kinship.

Word by Word

• वयम्: we
• वयम्: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्मद्
• Form: —, Nominative, Plural

• पार्थ: O Partha (Arjuna)
• पार्थ: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: पार्थ
• Form: Masculine, Vocative, Singular

• हनिष्यामः: we shall kill
• हनिष्यामः: Karta
• Type: Verb
• Root: हन्
• Form: Simple Future (Luṭ), 1st, Plural, Parasmaipada

• भीष्म-द्रोण-पुरोगमाः: having Bhishma and Drona in front / led by Bhishma and Drona
• भीष्म-द्रोण-पुरोगमाः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पुरोगम (from पुरस् + गम्)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sanjaya
• Arjuna (Partha)
• Bhishma
• Drona

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse underscores the ethical strain of war: even venerable elders can be positioned as instruments of violent political resolve, showing how ambition and factional loyalty can eclipse reverence, kinship, and restraint—central tensions in Mahabharata’s dharma discourse.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sanjaya reports the Kaurava side’s intent to kill Arjuna, declaring that their assault will be led by Bhishma and Drona—signaling a major escalation and the mobilization of the most formidable commanders against the Pandava champion.