Shloka 68
शक्ति भीष्म: स पार्थाय ततक्रिक्षेप भारत । तामस्य विशिखैश्शकछित्त्वा त्रिधा त्रेभिरपातयत्,भारत! ऐसा कहते हुए शान्तनुनन्दन भीष्मने पाण्डवोंकी ओर इस प्रकार देखा, मानो उन्हें भस्म कर डालेंगे। फिर उन्होंने अर्जुनपर एक शक्ति चलायी; परंतु अर्जुनने तीन बाणोंद्वारा उनकी उस शक्तिको तीन जगहसे काट गिराया
sañjaya uvāca | śaktiṃ bhīṣmaḥ sa pārthāya tatra cikṣepa bhārata | tām asya viśikhaiḥ śakac chittvā tridhā tribhir apātayat | bhārata |
Sanjaya said: O Bharata, Bhishma hurled a mighty spear-weapon at Partha (Arjuna) there. But Arjuna, with three sharp arrows, cut that weapon into three pieces and brought it down. Thus, amid the fury of battle, disciplined skill and presence of mind checked a deadly assault without excess—an image of controlled power within the demands of war.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in violent conflict, the epic highlights disciplined restraint and mastery: lethal force is met not by rage but by precise, proportionate counteraction. The warrior ideal here is controlled power guided by duty (kshatriya-dharma), not uncontrolled destruction.
During the Kurukshetra battle, Bhishma launches a powerful spear-weapon (śakti) at Arjuna. Arjuna responds instantly, using three arrows to cut the incoming weapon into three pieces, causing it to fall harmlessly.