Shloka 396
भीमसेनस्य बहुमहारथसंयुगः
Bhīmasena’s Engagement with Multiple Mahārathas
पातयिष्यामि दुर्धर्ष भीष्म॑ कुरुपितामहम् । “अच्छा, जहाँ भीष्म हैं, उसी ओर घोड़ोंको बढ़ाइये। आज मैं आपकी आज्ञाका पालन करूँगा। कुरुकुलके वृद्ध पितामह दुर्धर्ष वीर भीष्मको मार गिराऊँगा”
pātayiṣyāmi durdharṣa bhīṣmaṃ kurupitāmaham |
Sañjaya said: “I shall strike down Bhīṣma, the unconquerable grandsire of the Kurus. Drive the horses toward wherever Bhīṣma stands. Today I will carry out your command.” In the moral tension of the war, the resolve is framed as obedience to rightful instruction and the grim necessity of confronting even a revered elder when duty and survival demand it.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in a righteous war, dharma can demand painful action: obedience to legitimate command and protection of one’s side may require confronting revered elders. The verse highlights the ethical strain between respect for elders and the kṣatriya duty to fight when duty calls.
A warrior (reported by Sañjaya) declares his intention to bring down Bhīṣma and instructs the charioteer to drive toward Bhīṣma’s position, affirming that he will follow the given order that day.