Adhyaya 112

Verse 1

[दाक्षिणात्य अधिक पाठका ई “लोक मिलाकर कुल ६० ई “लोक हैं।] न२्डचप्स्सिलििस्स ह्य ४ «आर नवाधिकशततमो<्ध्याय: भीष्म और दुर्योधनका संवाद तथा भीष्मके द्वारा लाखों सैनिकोंका संहार धृतराष्ट्र रवाच कथं शिखण्डी गाड्रेयमभ्यधावत्‌ पितामहम्‌ । पाज्चाल्य: समरे क्ुद्धों धर्मात्मानं यतव्रतम्‌,धृतराष्ट्रने पूछा--संजय! पांचालराजकुमार शिखण्डीने समरभूमिमें कुपित होकर नियमपूर्वक व्रतका पालन करनेवाले धर्मात्मा पितामह गंगानन्दन भीष्मपर किस प्रकार धावा किया?

Dhṛtarāṣṭra said: “How did Śikhaṇḍī, the Pāñcāla prince, in the fury of battle, rush upon the grandsire Bhīṣma—the son of the Gaṅgā—who was righteous in spirit and steadfast in his vowed discipline?”

Verse 2

के5रक्षन्‌ पाण्डवानीके शिखण्डिनमुदायुधा: । त्वरमाणास्त्वराकाले जिगीषन्तो महारथा:,पाण्डवोंकी सेनाके किन-किन वीर महारथियोंने अस्त्र-शस्त्र लेकर विजयकी अभिलाषासे उस शीघ्रताके समय अपनी शीघ्रकारिताका परिचय देते हुए शिखण्डीका संरक्षण किया?

Sañjaya said: “Which great chariot-warriors, taking up their weapons, protected Śikhaṇḍin in the Pāṇḍava army—hastening in that moment of urgency, eager for victory and displaying swift resolve amid the press of battle?”

Verse 3

कथं शान्तनवो भीष्म: स तस्मिन्‌ दशमे5हनि । अयुध्यत महावीर्य: पाण्डवै: सहसूंजयै:,महापराक्रमी शान्तनुनन्दन भीष्मने दसवें दिन पाण्डवों तथा सूंजयोंके साथ किस प्रकार युद्ध किया?

Sañjaya said: “How did Bhīṣma, the son of Śāntanu—of great might and heroic prowess—fight on that tenth day against the Pāṇḍavas together with the Sṛñjayas?”

Verse 4

न मृष्यामि रणे भीष्म प्रत्युद्यातं शिखण्डिना । कच्चिन्न रथभड्ढो5स्य धरनुर्वाशीर्यतास्यत:,रणक्षेत्रमें शिखण्डीने भीष्मपर आक्रमण किया, यह मुझसे सहन नहीं हो रहा है। कहीं उनका रथ तो नहीं टूट गया था अथवा बाणोंका प्रहार करते-करते उनके धनुषके टुकड़े- टुकड़े तो नहीं हो गये थे?

Sanjaya said: “I cannot bear it, O Bhishma, that Shikhandin has advanced against you in battle. Tell me—was his chariot not shattered, or did his bow not splinter into pieces as he kept shooting?”

Verse 5

संजय उवाच नाशीर्यत धनुश्चलास्य रथभज़ोी न चाप्यभूत्‌ । युध्यमानस्य संग्रामे भीष्मस्य भरतर्षभ

Sañjaya said: O bull among the Bharatas, as Bhīṣma fought in the thick of battle, neither did his bow splinter nor did his charioteer falter. The narration underscores Bhīṣma’s steadfast martial discipline and unwavering resolve amid the chaos of war.

Verse 6

निघ्नतः समरे शत्रूज्शरै: संनतपर्वभि: । संजयने कहा--भरतश्रेष्ठ! संग्राममें युद्ध करते समय भीष्मके न तो धनुषके ही टुकड़े-टुकड़े हुए थे और न उनका रथ ही टूटा था। वे समरभूमिमें झुकी हुई गाँठवाले बाणोंद्वारा शत्रुओंका संहार करते जा रहे थे ।। अनेकशतसाहस्रास्तावकानां महारथा:,राजन्‌! आपके कई लाख महारथी, हाथी और घोड़े सुसज्जित हो पितामह भीष्मको आगे करके युद्धके लिये बढ़ रहे थे

Sanjaya said: “O best of the Bharatas, Bhishma’s bow was not splintered, nor was his chariot broken in the thick of battle. On the battlefield he continued to strike down the foes, slaying them with arrows whose joints were bent—steadfastly pressing the war forward under the harsh law of combat.”

Verse 7

तथा दन्तिगणा राजन्‌ हयाश्रैव सुसज्जिता: । अभ्यवर्तन्त युद्धाय पुरस्कृत्य पितामहम्‌,राजन्‌! आपके कई लाख महारथी, हाथी और घोड़े सुसज्जित हो पितामह भीष्मको आगे करके युद्धके लिये बढ़ रहे थे

Sañjaya said: “So too, O King, the companies of elephants and the well-equipped horses advanced for battle, placing the grandsire Bhīṣma at their head.” The line underscores how the Kaurava host moves in disciplined formation, entrusting moral and strategic leadership to the revered elder even as they enter a destructive war.

Verse 8

यथाप्रतिज्ञं कौरव्य स चापि समितिज्जय: । पार्थानामकरोदू भीष्म: सततं समितिक्षयम्‌,कुरुनन्दन! युद्धविजयी भीष्म अपनी प्रतिज्ञाके अनुसार रणक्षेत्रमें कुन्तीकुमारोंके सैनिकोंका निरन्तर संहार कर रहे थे

Sañjaya said: O descendant of the Kurus, true to his vow, Bhīṣma—ever victorious in battle—was continually bringing about the destruction of the Pāṇḍavas’ forces. The verse underscores the grim ethical tension of war: steadfast fidelity to one’s pledged word can, in the battlefield, manifest as relentless slaughter.

Verse 9

युध्यमानं महेष्वासं विनिध्नन्तं पराउशरै: । पज्चाला: पाण्डवै: सार्ध सर्वे ते नाभ्यवारयन्‌,बाणोंद्वारा शत्रुओंको मारते हुए युद्धपरायण महा-धनुर्धर भीष्मको पाण्डवोंसहित सारे पांचाल योद्धा भी आगे बढ़नेसे रोक न सके

Sañjaya said: As Bhīṣma—the great archer—fought on, striking down foes with keen arrows, all the Pāñcālas together with the Pāṇḍavas were still unable to check his advance. The scene underscores the grim momentum of war: even a righteous coalition can be overmatched by a single warrior’s mastery and resolve, reminding the listener that prowess and fate can overwhelm numbers, and that dharma in battle often unfolds through painful inevitability rather than easy moral victory.

Verse 10

दशमे5हनि सम्प्राप्ते ततस्तां रिपुवाहिनीम्‌ । कीर्यमाणां शितैर्बाणै: शतशो5थ सहसत्रश:,दसवें दिन शत्रुकी सेनापर भीष्मके द्वारा सैकड़ों और हजारों पैने बाणोंकी वर्षा की जाने लगी परंतु पाण्डव इसे रोक न सके

Sañjaya said: When the tenth day of battle arrived, then that host of enemies was showered with sharp arrows—by the hundreds and by the thousands. Yet the Pāṇḍavas were unable to check that overwhelming rain of missiles.

Verse 11

न हि भीष्म महेष्वासं पाण्डवा: पाण्डुपूर्वज । अशवनुवन्‌ रणे जेतुं पाशहस्तमिवान्तकम्‌,पाण्डुके ज्येष्ठ भ्राता धृतराष्ट्र! पाशधारी यमराजके समान महाधनुर्धर भीष्मको युद्धमें जीतनेके लिये पाण्डव कभी समर्थ न हो सके

Sañjaya said: “O Dhṛtarāṣṭra, elder brother of Pāṇḍu, the Pāṇḍavas were never able, in battle, to conquer Bhīṣma of the mighty bow. He was like Death itself, holding the noose—an irresistible force before whom even the most valiant falter.”

Verse 12

अथोपायान्महाराज सव्यसाची धनंजय: । त्रासयन्‌ रथिन: सर्वान्‌ बीभत्सुरपराजित:,महाराज! तदनन्तर किसीसे परास्त न होनेवाले और बायें हाथसे भी बाण चलानेमें समर्थ धनंजय अर्जुन समस्त रथियोंको भयभीत करते हुए उनके निकट आये

Sañjaya said: Then, O King, Dhanañjaya Arjuna—renowned as Savyasācī for his equal skill with either hand—advanced toward them. Unconquered in battle, the formidable Bībhatsu struck fear into all the chariot-warriors as he closed in, signaling a decisive escalation in the clash of kṣatriya duty on the field.

Verse 13

सिंहवद्‌ विनदन्नुच्चैर्धनुरज्या विक्षिपन्‌ मुहुः । शरौघान्‌ विसृजन्‌ पार्थो व्यचरत्‌ कालवदू रणे,वे कुन्तीकुमार सिंहके समान उच्चस्वरसे गर्जना करते हुए बारंबार अपने धनुषकी डोरी खींचते और बाणसमूहोंकी वर्षा करते हुए रणक्षेत्रमें कालके समान विचरते थे

Sanjaya said: Roaring aloud like a lion, repeatedly snapping and drawing his bowstring, and loosing torrents of arrows, Partha (Arjuna), the son of Kunti, moved about the battlefield like Time itselfunstoppable and impartial in its destruction.

Verse 14

तस्य शब्देन वित्रस्तास्तावका भरतर्षभ । सिंहस्येव मृगा राजन्‌ व्यद्रवन्त महाभयात्‌,राजन! भरतश्रेष्ठ! जैसे सिंहके शब्दसे अत्यन्त भयभीत होकर मृग भाग जाते हैं, उसी प्रकार अर्जुनके सिंहनादसे संत्रस्त हुए आपके सैनिक महान्‌ भयके कारण भागने लगे

Sañjaya said: “O bull among the Bharatas, at the sound of that (lion-like roar), your own troops were struck with terror. Just as deer flee upon hearing a lion, so did they run away in great fear.”

Verse 15

जयन्तं पाण्डवं दृष्ट्वा त्वत्सैन्यं चाभिपीडितम्‌ । दुर्योधनस्ततो भीष्ममब्रवीद्‌ भूशपीडित:,पाण्डुनन्दन अर्जुनको जीतते और आपकी सेनाको पीड़ित होती देख दुर्योधन अत्यन्त पीड़ित होकर भीष्मसे बोला--

Sañjaya said: Seeing the victorious son of Pāṇḍu and your army being hard-pressed, Duryodhana—deeply afflicted by the burden of the situation—then addressed Bhīṣma. The verse frames a moral tension: pride and entitlement confronted by the visible consequences of adharma on the battlefield, prompting Duryodhana to seek counsel from the elder he relies upon.

Verse 16

एष पाण्डुसुतस्तात श्वेताश्वः कृष्णसारथि: । दहते मामकानू्‌ सर्वान्‌ कृष्णवर्त्मेव काननम्‌,'तात! ये श्वेत घोड़ोंवाले पाण्डुपुत्र अर्जुन, जिनके सारथि श्रीकृष्ण हैं, मेरे सारे सैनिकोंको उसी प्रकार दग्ध करते हैं, जैसे दावानल वनको

Sañjaya said: “O dear father, this son of Pāṇḍu—Arjuna—whose chariot is drawn by white horses and whose charioteer is Kṛṣṇa, is now burning down all our troops, just as a dark-tracked wildfire consumes a forest.” The verse frames Arjuna’s prowess as overwhelming and almost elemental, while also underscoring the moral weight of war: even rightful battle, once unleashed, spreads destruction beyond individual duels into collective ruin.

Verse 17

पश्य सैन्यानि गाड़्ेय द्रवमाणानि सर्वश: । पाण्डवेन युधां श्रेष्ठ काल्यमानानि संयुगे,'योद्धाओंमें श्रेष्ठ गंगानन्दन! देखिये, मेरी सेनाएँ सब ओर भाग रही हैं और अर्जुन युद्धस्थलमें खड़े हो उन्हें खदेड़ रहे हैं

Sañjaya said: “Behold, O descendant of the Gaṅgā—O best of warriors—my troops are fleeing in every direction, while the Pāṇḍava (Arjuna), standing firm in the thick of battle, is driving them on and pressing them hard.”

Verse 18

यथा पशुगणान्‌ पाल: संकालयति कानने । तथेदं मापकं सैन्यं काल्यते शत्रुतापन,'शत्रुओंको संताप देनेवाले पितामह! जैसे चरवाहा जंगलमें पशुओंको हाँकता है, उसी प्रकार मेरी यह सेना अर्जुनके द्वारा हाँकी जा रही है

Sañjaya said: “O scorcher of foes! Just as a herdsman drives a herd of animals through the forest, so too this vast army of ours is being driven and herded about by Arjuna.”

Verse 19

धनंजयशरैर्भग्नं द्रवमाणं ततस्ततः । भीमोथ प्येवं दुराधर्षो विद्राववति मे बलम्‌,“धनंजयके बाणोंसे आहत हो व्यूह भंग करके इधर-उधर भागनेवाली मेरी सेनाको ये दुर्धर्ष वीर भीमसेन भी पीछेसे खदेड़ रहे हैं

Sañjaya said: “Shattered by Dhanañjaya’s arrows, my army—its formation broken—runs in disorder here and there. And now even Bhīma, that hard-to-withstand warrior, is driving my troops into flight.”

Verse 20

सात्यकिश्रेकितानश्च माद्रीपुत्रो च पाण्डवौ । अभिमन्यु: सुविक्रान्तो वाहिनीं द्रवते मम

Sañjaya said: “Sātyaki and Śrekitāna, and the Pāṇḍava who is Mādrī’s son, along with the exceedingly valiant Abhimanyu—these are now driving my army into flight.” In the moral atmosphere of the war-report, the line underscores how prowess joined with resolve can break a larger force, and how the tide of battle turns when disciplined heroes press forward without wavering.

Verse 21

'धृष्टद्युम्न तथा शूरवीर राक्षस घटोत्कचने भी सहसा इस महासमरमें आकर मेरी सेनाको मार भगाया है

Sanjaya said: Dhrishtadyumna, and the heroic Rakshasa Ghatotkacha as well—those two, suddenly entering this great battle, struck down my troops and put my army to flight. The scene underscores how courage and force, when joined with sudden initiative, can overturn even a prepared host, reminding the listener that in war the consequences of violence spread swiftly through entire ranks.

Verse 22

वध्यमानस्य सैन्यस्य सर्वरेतैर्महारथै: । नान्यां गतिं प्रपश्यामि स्थाने युद्धे च भारत,“भारत! इन सब महारथियोंद्वारा मारी जाती हुई अपनी सेनाको मैं युद्धमें ठहरानेके लिये आपके सिवा दूसरा कोई आश्रय नहीं देखता। देवतुल्य पराक्रमी पुरुषसिंह! केवल आप ही उसकी रक्षामें समर्थ हैं। अतः हम पीड़ितोंके लिये आप शीघ्र ही आश्रयदाता होइये'

Sañjaya said: “O Bhārata, as our army is being cut down by all these great chariot-warriors, I see no other course—whether to hold our ground or to continue the fight—apart from you. You alone are capable of protecting it; therefore become quickly the refuge of us who are afflicted.”

Verse 23

ऋते त्वां पुरुषव्याप्र देवतुल्यपराक्रम । पर्याप्तस्तु भवाज्शीघ्रं पीडितानां गतिर्भव,“भारत! इन सब महारथियोंद्वारा मारी जाती हुई अपनी सेनाको मैं युद्धमें ठहरानेके लिये आपके सिवा दूसरा कोई आश्रय नहीं देखता। देवतुल्य पराक्रमी पुरुषसिंह! केवल आप ही उसकी रक्षामें समर्थ हैं। अतः हम पीड़ितोंके लिये आप शीघ्र ही आश्रयदाता होइये'

Sañjaya said: “O tiger among men, whose prowess is like that of the gods—apart from you I see no other refuge to steady our army as it is being cut down by these great chariot-warriors. You alone are sufficient to protect it. Therefore, be quickly the shelter and saving course for us who are hard-pressed.”

Verse 24

संजय उवाच एवमुक्तो महाराज पिता देवब्रतस्तव । चिन्तयित्वा मुहूर्त तु कृत्वा निश्चयमात्मन:

Sañjaya said: Thus addressed, O great king, your father Devavrata (Bhīṣma), after reflecting for a brief while, formed a firm resolve within himself—signaling a deliberate, duty-bound decision rather than a hasty impulse.

Verse 25

तव संधारयनू्‌ पुत्रमब्रवीच्छान्तनो: सुत: । दुर्योधन विजानीहि स्थिरो भूत्वा विशाम्पते

Sañjaya said: While steadying your son, the son of Śāntanu (Bhīṣma) spoke: “Duryodhana, understand this—stand firm, O lord of the people.” The moment underscores Bhīṣma’s role as elder guardian and commander, urging composure and resolve amid the moral and emotional strain of impending battle.

Verse 26

संजय कहते हैं--महाराज! दुर्योधनके ऐसा कहनेपर आपके ताऊ शानन्‍्तनुनन्दन देवव्रतने दो घड़ीतक कुछ चिन्तन करनेके पश्चात्‌ अपना एक निश्चय करके आपके पुत्र दुर्योधनको सान्त्वना देते हुए इस प्रकार कहा--'प्रजानाथ दुर्योधन! सुस्थिर होकर इधर ध्यान दो ।। पूर्वकालं तव मया प्रतिज्ञातं महाबल । हत्वा दशसहस्राणि क्षत्रियाणां महात्मनाम्‌,“महाबली नरेश! पूर्वकालमें मैंने तुम्हारे लिये यह प्रतिज्ञा की थी कि दस हजार महामनस्वी क्षत्रियोंका वध करके ही मुझे संग्रामभूमिसे हटना होगा और यह मेरा दैनिक कर्म होगा। भरतश्रेष्ठ! जैसा मैंने कहा था, वैला अबतक करता आया हूँ

Sanjaya said: “O King! When Duryodhana had spoken thus, your grandsire Devavrata, the son of Shantanu, reflected for a while, formed a firm resolve, and then, to console your son Duryodhana, spoke these words: ‘O lord of men, Duryodhana, be steady and attend to me. Long ago, O mighty one, I vowed this for your sake: I would not withdraw from the battlefield until I had slain ten thousand high-souled Kshatriyas—and this would be my daily duty. O best of the Bharatas, as I said, so have I acted up to this point.’”

Verse 27

संग्रामाद्‌ व्यपयातव्यमेतत्‌ कर्म ममाह्विकम्‌ | इति तत्‌ कृतवांश्वाहं यथोक्तं भरतर्षभ,“महाबली नरेश! पूर्वकालमें मैंने तुम्हारे लिये यह प्रतिज्ञा की थी कि दस हजार महामनस्वी क्षत्रियोंका वध करके ही मुझे संग्रामभूमिसे हटना होगा और यह मेरा दैनिक कर्म होगा। भरतश्रेष्ठ! जैसा मैंने कहा था, वैला अबतक करता आया हूँ

Sañjaya said: “I must not withdraw from the battlefield—this is my vowed, daily duty. Thus have I acted, O bull among the Bharatas, exactly as I had declared.”

Verse 28

अद्य चापि महत्‌ कर्म प्रकरिष्ये महाबल । अहं वाद्य हतः शेष्ये हनिष्ये वाद्य पाण्डवान्‌,“महाबली वीर! आज भी मैं महान्‌ कर्म करूँगा। या तो आज मैं ही मारा जाकर रणभूमिमें सो जाऊँगा या पाण्डवोंका ही संहार करूँगा

Sañjaya said: “O mighty one, even today I shall undertake a great deed. Either I will be struck down and lie upon the battlefield, or else I will bring about the destruction of the Pāṇḍavas.” The utterance reflects the warrior’s vow-like resolve in war, where personal survival is subordinated to the chosen aim, and the ethical tension of valor being directed toward annihilation is laid bare.

Verse 29

अद्य ते पुरुषव्याप्र प्रतिमोक्ष्ये ऋणं तव । भर्तृपिण्डकृतं राजन्‌ निहतः पृतनामुखे,'पुरुषसिंह! नरेश! तुम स्वामी हो, मुझपर तुम्हारे अन्नका ऋण है; आज युद्धके मुहानेपर मारा जाकर मैं तुम्हारे उस ऋणको उतार दूँगा”

Sañjaya said: “Today, O tiger among men, I shall repay the debt I owe you. O King, the obligation incurred by living on my lord’s sustenance—I will discharge it by being slain at the very front of the battle.”

Verse 30

इत्युक्त्वा भरतश्रेष्ठ क्षत्रियान्‌ प्रवपठ्छरै: । आससाद दुराधर्ष: पाण्डवानामनीकिनीम्‌,भरतश्रेष्ठ! ऐसा कहकर दुर्थर्ष वीर भीष्मने क्षत्रियोंपर अपने बाणोंकी वर्षा करते हुए पाण्डवोंकी सेनापर आक्रमण किया

Sañjaya said: “Having spoken thus, O best of the Bharatas, the unconquerable Bhīṣma showered the kṣatriya warriors with arrows and then charged straight into the army of the Pāṇḍavas.” The verse underscores the grim ethic of kṣatriya-duty in war: once a resolve is declared, action follows without hesitation, even when it intensifies the destruction of kin and peers.

Verse 31

अनीकमध्ये तिष्ठन्तं गाड्ेयं भरतर्षभ । आशीविषमिव क़ुद्धं पाण्डवा: प्रत्यवारयन्‌,सेनाके मध्यभागमें स्थित हुए विषधर सर्पके समान कुपित भीष्मको पाण्डव सैनिक रोकने लगे

Sañjaya said: “O bull among the Bharatas, the Pāṇḍava warriors began to check Bhīṣma—standing in the very midst of the battle-array—who, enraged, was like a venomous serpent. In the press of war, they sought to restrain his destructive force and protect their own ranks.”

Verse 32

दशमे5हनि भीष्मस्तु दर्शयठ्शक्तिमात्मन: । राजज्छतसहस्राणि सो5वधीत्‌ कुरुनन्दन,किंतु राजन्‌! कुरुनन्दन! दसवें दिन भीष्मने अपनी शक्तिका परिचय देते हुए लाखों पाण्डव-सैनिकोंका संहार कर डाला

Sañjaya said: On the tenth day, Bhīṣma displayed the full measure of his own prowess; and that Kurunandana slew hundreds of thousands of kings (warriors). The verse underscores the terrifying momentum of war: personal valor, when yoked to a vast conflict, becomes mass destruction—raising the ethical tension between kṣatriya duty on the battlefield and the human cost borne by armies and realms.

Verse 33

पज्चालानां च ये श्रेष्ठा राजपुत्रा महारथा: । तेषामादत्त तेजांसि जल सूर्य इवांशुभि:,जैसे सूर्य अपनी किरणोंद्वारा धरतीका जल सोख लेते हैं, उसी प्रकार भीष्मजीने पांचालोंमें जो श्रेष्ठ महारथी राजकुमार थे, उन सबके तेज हर लिये

Sañjaya said: “And among the Pāñcālas, those foremost princes—great chariot-warriors—Bhīṣma drew away their splendor and fighting spirit, just as the sun, by its rays, drinks up the water.” The image underscores how a single, disciplined warrior can diminish the confidence and momentum of many, not merely by force but by overwhelming presence on the battlefield.

Verse 34

हत्वा दश सहस्राणि कुठ्जराणां तरस्विनाम्‌ | सारोहाणां महाराज हयानां चायुतं तथा,महाराज! सवारोंसहित दस हजार वेगशाली हाथियों, उतने ही घोड़ों और घुड़सवारों तथा दो लाख पैदल सैनिकोंको नरश्रेष्ठ भीष्मने रणभूमिमें धूमरहित अग्निकी भाँति फूँक डाला

Sañjaya said: “O King, having slain ten thousand swift elephants with their riders, and likewise an ayuta (ten thousand) of horses, Bhīṣma’s onslaught on the battlefield was like a consuming fire—an image of war’s relentless force, where prowess and duty are asserted through devastating violence.”

Verse 35

पूर्णे शतसहस्रे द्वे पादातानां नरोत्तम: | प्रजज्वाल रणे भीष्मो विधूम इव पावक:,महाराज! सवारोंसहित दस हजार वेगशाली हाथियों, उतने ही घोड़ों और घुड़सवारों तथा दो लाख पैदल सैनिकोंको नरश्रेष्ठ भीष्मने रणभूमिमें धूमरहित अग्निकी भाँति फूँक डाला

Sañjaya said: “O King, when two hundred thousand foot-soldiers had been arrayed, Bhīṣma—the best of men—blazed forth in that battle like a smokeless fire, consuming the enemy host.”

Verse 36

न चैनं पाण्डवेयानां केचिच्छेकुर्निरी क्षितुम्‌ । उत्तरं मार्गमास्थाय तपन्तमिव भास्करम्‌,उत्तरायणका आश्रय लेकर तपते हुए सूर्यकी भाँति प्रतापी भीष्मकी ओर पाण्डवोंमेंसे कोई देखनेमें समर्थ न हो सके

Sañjaya said: And none among the sons of the Pāṇḍus could even bear to look at him—Bhīṣma, blazing with might like the sun in its northward course, scorching all who faced him. The verse underscores how overwhelming martial radiance can paralyze opponents, reminding that prowess, when aligned with steadfast resolve, becomes a force that tests courage and composure on the battlefield.

Verse 37

ते पाण्डवेया: संरब्धा महेष्वासेन पीडिता: । वधायाभ्यद्रवन्‌ भीष्मं॑ सूंजयाश्व महारथा:,महाधनुर्थर भीष्मके बाणोंसे पीड़ित हो अत्यन्त क्रोधमें भरे हुए पाण्डव तथा सूंजय महारथी भीष्मके वधके लिये उनपर टूट पड़े

Sañjaya said: The sons of Pāṇḍu, enraged and hard-pressed by the great archer’s assault, rushed upon Bhīṣma with the intent to slay him; and the mighty chariot-warrior Sūñjayāśva too charged forward. The verse underscores the war’s moral tension: even against a revered elder, the warriors’ duty and fury drive them toward lethal resolve.

Verse 38

संयुद्धयमानो बहुभिर्भीष्म: शान्तनवस्तथा । अवकीरर्णो महामेरु: शैलो मेघैरिवावृत:,बहुत-से योद्धाओंके साथ अकेले युद्ध करते हुए शान्तनुनन्दन भीष्म उस समय बाणोंसे आच्छादित हो मेघोंके समूहसे आवृत हुए महान्‌ पर्वत मेरुकी भाँति शोभा पा रहे थे

Sañjaya said: As Bhīṣma, the son of Śāntanu, fought on alone against many warriors, he appeared splendid—covered over with showers of arrows—like the great mountain Meru when it is veiled by masses of clouds. The image underscores steadfast valor and unwavering resolve amid overwhelming opposition in the righteous yet tragic setting of war.

Verse 39

पुत्रास्तु तव गाड़ेयं समन्तात्‌ पर्यवारयन्‌ । महत्या सेनया सार्ध ततो युद्धमवर्तत,राजन्‌! आपके पुत्रोंने विशाल सेनाके साथ आकर गंगानन्दन भीष्मको सब ओरसे घेर लिया। तत्पश्चात्‌ वहाँ विकट युद्ध होने लगा

Sañjaya said: Your sons, O King, tightly surrounded Bhīṣma—the son of the Gaṅgā—from all sides, supported by a vast army. Thereafter, a fierce battle arose there, as the struggle for victory pressed both sides into relentless combat.

Verse 108

इस प्रकार श्रीमह्याभारत भीष्मपर्वके अन्तर्गत भीष्मवधपर्वमें भीष्म और शिखण्डीका समागमविषयक एक सौ आठवाँ अध्याय पूरा हुआ

Sanjaya said: Thus, in the sacred Mahabharata, within the Bhishma Parva—specifically in the section concerning Bhishma’s fall—this one-hundred-and-eighth chapter, dealing with the encounter between Bhishma and Shikhandi, is concluded. The closing formula underscores the epic’s moral gravity: even decisive moments in war are framed as accountable events within dharma, recorded with solemn finality rather than triumph.

Verse 109

इति श्रीमहाभारते भीष्मपर्वणि भीष्मवधपर्वणि भीष्मदुर्योधनसंवादे नवाधिकशततमोडध्याय:

Thus, in the Śrī Mahābhārata, within the Bhīṣma Parva—specifically in the section concerning Bhīṣma’s fall—during the dialogue between Bhīṣma and Duryodhana, ends the one hundred and ninth chapter. This closing colophon frames the narrative as a morally charged war-episode: the fall of a great elder-warrior and the counsel exchanged amid the ethical collapse of fratricidal conflict.

Verse 231

'सात्यकि, चेकितान, पाण्डु और माद्रीके पुत्र नकुल-सहदेव और पराक्रमी अभिमन्यु भी मेरी सेनाको भगा रहे हैं ।। धृष्टद्युम्नस्तथा शूरो राक्षसश्व घटोत्कच: । व्यद्रावयेतां सहसा सैन्यं मम महारणे

Sañjaya said: In that great battle, the valiant Dhṛṣṭadyumna and the rākṣasa Ghaṭotkaca suddenly drove my army into flight. The report underscores how the Kaurava forces, despite their famed warriors, are being shaken by the coordinated prowess of the Pāṇḍava side—an ominous sign of the moral and strategic tide turning against adharma.