Shloka 11
Adhyāya 112: Bhīṣma-prati Arjunasya Pravṛttiḥ
Arjuna’s Forward Drive Toward Bhīṣma
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
na hi bhīṣma maheṣvāsaṃ pāṇḍavāḥ pāṇḍupūrvaja | aśaknuvan raṇe jetuṃ pāśahastam ivāntakam ||
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.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the moral and existential weight of war: some forces—embodied here by Bhīṣma’s unmatched prowess and the image of Death with a noose—appear inevitable. It highlights human limitation before destiny-like power, and the grave seriousness of entering a dharma-war where even the righteous may face seemingly unconquerable opponents.
Sañjaya reports to King Dhṛtarāṣṭra that the Pāṇḍavas could not defeat Bhīṣma in battle. He intensifies the description by likening Bhīṣma to Antaka (Death/Yama) holding the noose, conveying Bhīṣma’s terrifying effectiveness on the battlefield.