Shloka 58
भीष्मपर्व — अध्याय ११०: पार्थभीमयोः प्रहारः तथा भीष्माभिमुखं संग्रामविस्तारः
Arjuna and Bhima’s pressure; escalation toward Bhishma
पूजयन्तो महाराज पाण्डवा भरतर्षभम् | प्रणम्य शिरसा चैनं भीष्म॑ं शरणमभ्ययु:,महाराज! पाण्डवोंने भरतश्रेष्ठ भीष्मकी पूजा करते हुए उनके चरणोंमें मस्तक रखकर प्रणाम किया और उन्हींकी शरण ली
pūjayanto mahārāja pāṇḍavā bharatarṣabham | praṇamya śirasā cainaṃ bhīṣmaṃ śaraṇam abhyayuḥ ||
Sañjaya said: O King, the Pāṇḍavas, honoring Bhīṣma—the bull among the Bharatas—bowed to him with their heads and sought refuge in him. Even on the eve of battle, they uphold the ethic of reverence toward elders and teachers, acknowledging Bhīṣma’s moral authority while preparing to face him in war.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharma in conduct: even amid inevitable conflict, one should maintain reverence toward elders and exemplars of virtue. Seeking Bhīṣma’s refuge signifies humility and recognition of moral authority, not merely tactical dependence.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that the Pāṇḍavas approach Bhīṣma, honor him, bow at his feet, and seek his protection/blessing—an act of formal respect before the commencement of hostilities in the Kurukṣetra war.