Shloka 12
भीष्मपर्व — अध्याय ११०: पार्थभीमयोः प्रहारः तथा भीष्माभिमुखं संग्रामविस्तारः
Arjuna and Bhima’s pressure; escalation toward Bhishma
(हनिष्याम यथा भीष्म जयेम पृथिवीमिमाम् ।।) ततो युधिष्छिरो राजा मन्त्रयित्वा चिरं नूप । वासुदेवं समुद्वीक्ष्य वचनं चेदमाददे,उनमें यह विचार होने लगा कि हम भीष्मको कैसे मार सकेंगे और किस प्रकार इस पृथ्वीपर विजय प्राप्त करेंगे। नरेश्वर! उस समय राजा युधिष्ठिरने दीर्घकालतक गुप्तमन्त्रणा करनेके पश्चात् वसुदेवनन्दन भगवान् श्रीकृष्णकी ओर देखकर यह बात कही--
(haniṣyāma yathā bhīṣmaṁ jayeyam pṛthivīm imām) tato yudhiṣṭhiro rājā mantrayitvā ciraṁ nūpa vāsudevaṁ samudvīkṣya vacanaṁ cedam ādade
Sañjaya said: “A thought arose among them: ‘How shall we slay Bhīṣma, and by what means shall we win this earth?’ Then King Yudhiṣṭhira, after long and confidential deliberation, looked toward Vāsudeva (Śrī Kṛṣṇa) and spoke these words—seeking a course that could secure victory without abandoning the demands of righteousness amid the necessities of war.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in a just war, victory is not pursued as mere power; the leaders must weigh means and ends. Yudhiṣṭhira’s turning to Kṛṣṇa after secret counsel highlights the need for guidance that harmonizes strategy with dharma, especially when confronting an elder like Bhīṣma whose stature intensifies the ethical burden.
The Pāṇḍavas are troubled by Bhīṣma’s invincibility and consider how he might be brought down so they can win sovereignty. After prolonged private deliberation, Yudhiṣṭhira looks to Kṛṣṇa and begins to speak, initiating a counsel-seeking moment that will shape their next strategic and moral decisions.