Shloka 35
Adhyāya 112: Bhīṣma-prati Arjunasya Pravṛttiḥ
Arjuna’s Forward Drive Toward Bhīṣma
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
pūrṇe śatasahasre dve pādātānāṃ narottamaḥ | prajajvāla raṇe bhīṣmo vidhūma iva pāvakaḥ ||
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.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse uses the image of “smokeless fire” to portray focused, unobstructed martial power. Ethically, it highlights the terrible efficiency of war: even when performed as kṣatriya-duty, battle consumes lives swiftly, reminding the listener (Dhṛtarāṣṭra) of the grave consequences of choosing conflict.
Sañjaya reports to the king that Bhīṣma, amid a vast infantry force numbering two hundred thousand, erupts in combat brilliance and destructive force, likened to a clear, smokeless fire that burns through opponents on the battlefield.