Shloka 2
शतघध्नीभि: सुघोराभि: परिघैश्न परश्वथैः । मुदगरैर्मुसलै: प्रासै: क्षेपणीयैश्व॒ सर्वश:,अताडयन् रणे भीष्मं सहिता: सर्वसृञज्जया: । समस्त सूंजय वीर एक साथ संगठित हो भयंकर शतघ्नी, परिघ, फरसे, मुद्गर, मुसल, प्रास, गोफन, स्वर्णमय पंखवाले बाण, शक्ति, तोमर, कम्पन, नाराच, वत्सदन््त और भुशुण्डी आदि अस्त्र-शस्त्रोंद्वारा रणभूमिमें भीष्मको सब ओरसे पीड़ा देने लगे
sañjaya uvāca |
śataghadhnībhiḥ sughorābhiḥ parighaiś ca paraśvathaiḥ |
mudagarair musalaiḥ prāsaiḥ kṣepaṇīyaiś ca sarvaśaḥ |
atāḍayan raṇe bhīṣmaṃ sahitāḥ sarvasṛñjayāḥ |
Sañjaya said: Then, in the thick of battle, the assembled Sṛñjayas assailed Bhīṣma from every side—striking him with dreadful śataghni missiles, iron clubs and bars, axes, hammers, pestles, spears, and all manner of thrown weapons. The scene underscores the grim ethic of war: even the most venerable warrior becomes a target when duty to one’s side hardens into relentless collective force.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the harsh reality of kṣatriya-dharma in war: once battle is joined, even a revered elder like Bhīṣma is treated as an opposing force to be neutralized. It invites reflection on how duty and allegiance can intensify violence, and how endurance and discipline are tested amid collective aggression.
Sañjaya reports that the Sṛñjaya warriors, acting together, surround and strike Bhīṣma with many kinds of heavy and thrown weapons—clubs, axes, hammers, spears, and fearsome missiles—pressing him from all directions on the battlefield.