Shloka 45
त्रिभिस्ती&णैर्महावेगैरन्वगृह्नाच्छिर: शरै: | अर्जुनने “जो आज्ञा” कहकर इस कार्यके लिये प्रयत्न करना स्वीकार किया और गाण्डीव धनुष ले उसे अभिमन्त्रित करके झुकी हुई गाँठवाले तीन बाणोंको धनुषपर रखा। तत्पश्चात् भरतकुलके महात्मा महारथी भीष्मकी अनुमति ले उन अत्यन्त वेगशाली तीन तीखे बाणोंद्वारा उनके मस्तकको अनुगृहीत किया (कुछ ऊँचा करके स्थिर कर दिया) ।। ४३-४४ $ ।। अभिप्राये तु विदिते धर्मात्मा सव्यसाचिना
tribhis tīṇair mahāvegair anvagṛhnāc chiraḥ śaraiḥ |
Sañjaya said: With three arrows—each of tremendous speed—Arjuna carefully supported and steadied Bhīṣma’s head, lifting it and fixing it in place. The act is presented not as triumph over a fallen foe, but as a dutiful, compassionate service rendered on the battlefield to a venerable elder, in keeping with kṣatriya honor and dharma even amid war.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in violent conflict, dharma requires restraint and humane conduct: a warrior may fight without hatred and still honor elders and the fallen. Arjuna’s action models compassion and duty—service offered to Bhīṣma as a revered elder—showing that righteousness is measured by conduct, not merely by victory.
Bhīṣma lies on the bed of arrows and needs his head supported. Arjuna, at Bhīṣma’s request/with his consent (as the surrounding context indicates), uses three swift arrows to prop and steady Bhīṣma’s head, effectively creating a support so he can remain composed and endure.