Shloka 256
भीष्मस्य अप्रतिमपराक्रमः — शिखण्डिपुरस्कृतः प्रहारः
Bhīṣma’s unmatched momentum and the assault with Śikhaṇḍin in the lead
भीष्मस्य जीविताकाड्क्षी धनंजयमुपाद्रवत् महाराज! महारथी दुःशासनने भय छोड़कर भीष्मकी जीवन-रक्षाके लिये धनंजयपर धावा किया
bhīṣmasya jīvitākāṅkṣī dhanañjayam upādravat | mahārāja! mahārathī duḥśāsanena bhayaṃ tyaktvā bhīṣmasya jīvana-rakṣārthaṃ dhanañjaye praṇadāvaṃ cakāra ||
Sañjaya said: “O King, anxious for Bhīṣma’s survival, the great chariot-warrior Duḥśāsana cast aside fear and charged at Dhanañjaya (Arjuna), seeking to protect Bhīṣma’s life.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a warrior’s resolve and loyalty: even amid fear and chaos, a kṣatriya may act decisively to protect an elder and commander. Ethically, it shows how duty and allegiance can motivate courageous action, though the broader war context complicates moral evaluation.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Duḥśāsana, wanting Bhīṣma to survive, abandons fear and rushes to attack Arjuna (Dhanañjaya), aiming to shield Bhīṣma by confronting the threat directly.