Shloka 24
भीष्मस्य अप्रतिमपराक्रमः — शिखण्डिपुरस्कृतः प्रहारः
Bhīṣma’s unmatched momentum and the assault with Śikhaṇḍin in the lead
अभ्यद्रवन्त संदह्ृष्टा गाज़ेयस्य रथं प्रति । सेनापतिका यह वचन सुनकर पाण्डव महारथी अत्यन्त हर्षमें भरकर गंगानन्दन भीष्मके रथपर टूट पड़े ।। आगच्छमानान् समरे वार्योघान् प्रलयानिव
sañjaya uvāca | abhyadravanta saṃhṛṣṭā gāṅgeyasya rathaṃ prati | āgacchamānān samare vāryoghān pralayān iva ||
Sañjaya said: Hearing those words, the Pāṇḍava great chariot-warriors, filled with exhilaration, rushed straight toward the chariot of Bhīṣma, the son of the Gaṅgā. In the press of battle they surged forward like overwhelming torrents of water advancing at the time of cosmic dissolution—an image that underscores the fierce momentum of war and the peril of unrestrained martial zeal.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the intoxicating surge of martial enthusiasm in war and implicitly warns of its destructive potential through the simile of pralaya-like floods. It frames kṣatriya valor as powerful yet perilous when driven by exhilaration rather than measured restraint.
After hearing a prior statement (contextually, a command or provocation in the battle account), the Pāṇḍava maharathas become highly energized and charge toward Bhīṣma (Gāṅgeya) and his chariot, advancing with overwhelming force likened to catastrophic floodwaters.