Shloka 47
भीष्मो5पि रथियनां श्रेष्ठ: प्रतिजग्राह तां चमूम् । आपततन्ती महाराज वेलामिव महोदधि:,महाराज! रथियोंमें श्रेष्ठ भीष्मने भी अपने ऊपर आती हुई उस विशाल सेनाको युद्धके लिये उसी प्रकार ग्रहण किया, जैसे तटभूमिको महासागर
sañjaya uvāca | bhīṣmo 'pi rathināṃ śreṣṭhaḥ pratijagrāha tāṃ camūm | āpatatantīṃ mahārāja velām iva mahodadhiḥ ||
Sanjaya said: Bhishma too, the foremost among chariot-warriors, received that great host as it surged toward him for battle—just as the mighty ocean meets the shoreline. The image underscores disciplined steadiness in the face of overwhelming force: a warrior’s duty is to stand firm, not to be swept away by fear or fury.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights steadfastness and disciplined acceptance of one’s duty: a leader should meet an oncoming crisis with composure and resolve, not panic—like the ocean’s vast steadiness at the shore.
Sanjaya describes Bhishma, the foremost chariot-warrior, facing and receiving the charging enemy host in battle, using the simile of the great ocean meeting the coastline.