Shloka 97
भीष्मपर्व — अध्याय ११०: पार्थभीमयोः प्रहारः तथा भीष्माभिमुखं संग्रामविस्तारः
Arjuna and Bhima’s pressure; escalation toward Bhishma
पातयैनं रथात् पार्थ क्षत्रियं युद्धदुर्मदम् नाहत्वा युधि गाड़ेयं विजयस्ते भविष्यति,पार्थ! तुम युद्धदुर्मद क्षत्रियप्रवर भीष्मको रथसे मार गिराओ। रणक्षेत्रमें गंगानन्दन भीष्मको मारे बिना तुम्हारी विजय नहीं होगी
pātayainaṁ rathāt pārtha kṣatriyaṁ yuddha-durmadam | nāhatvā yudhi gāḍheyaṁ vijayas te bhaviṣyati, pārtha ||
Vāyu said: “O Pārtha, strike down from his chariot this kṣatriya, intoxicated with the pride of battle. Unless you slay this steadfast Gāṅgeya in the thick of combat, victory will not be yours, O Pārtha.”
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
Victory in a dharmic war is not merely a matter of valor but of confronting the decisive obstacle. The counsel urges Arjuna to overcome hesitation and act with strategic clarity: as long as Bhīṣma stands unconquered, the opposing force remains morally and militarily anchored, and success cannot be secured.
Vāyu addresses Arjuna (Pārtha) on the battlefield, identifying Bhīṣma (Gāṅgeya) as the key warrior whose presence prevents the Pāṇḍavas’ victory. He instructs Arjuna to bring Bhīṣma down from his chariot and emphasizes that without defeating him in the thick of battle, Arjuna’s side will not win.