Shloka 931
भीष्मपर्व — अध्याय ११०: पार्थभीमयोः प्रहारः तथा भीष्माभिमुखं संग्रामविस्तारः
Arjuna and Bhima’s pressure; escalation toward Bhishma
गुरुणा कुरुवृद्धेन कृतप्रज्ञेन धीमता । पितामहेन संग्रामे कथं योद्धास्मि माधव
guruṇā kuruvṛddhena kṛtaprajñena dhīmatā | pitāmahena saṅgrāme kathaṁ yoddhāsmi mādhava
Sanjaya said: “O Mādhava, how can I fight in this battle against the venerable grandsire—my teacher, the eldest of the Kurus—who is wise, steady in understanding, and possessed of clear discernment?”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds a dharmic conflict: reverence toward one’s teacher and elder (guru, pitāmaha, kuru-vṛddha) versus the kṣatriya obligation to fight in a righteous war. It highlights the ethical weight of violence when directed toward revered figures, demanding discernment rather than impulsive action.
In the midst of the Kurukṣetra battle account, the speaker voices hesitation about engaging Bhīṣma—revered as grandsire and teacher—describing him as wise and steady-minded, and asking how such a person can be fought in war.