Shloka 436
Rajo-dhūli-saṃmūḍha-saṅgrāmaḥ
The Dust-Obscured Battle and Mutual Charges
तस्योद्वेगभयाच्चापि संश्रित: पाण्डवान् पुरा । उस बुद्धिमान् विराटपुत्र श्वेतने अपने पिताके साथ वैर बाँध रखा था, इस कारण पिताके द्वारा प्राप्त होनेवाले उद्वेग एवं भयसे श्वेतने पहले ही पाण्डवोंकी शरण ले ली थी,प्रियं सम्बन्धिनं राजन् शरानवकिरन् बहून् । राजन! भीष्मने समरभूमिमें सव्यसाची अर्जुनको छोड़कर सेनासे घिरे हुए पांचालराज ट्रपदपर धावा किया और अपने प्रिय सम्बन्धीपर बहुत-से बाणोंकी वर्षा की
tasyodvegabhayāccāpi saṁśritaḥ pāṇḍavān purā | priyaṁ sambandhinaṁ rājan śarān avakiran bahūn ||
Dhṛtarāṣṭra said: “Because of the agitation and fear arising from that hostility, he had formerly taken refuge with the Pāṇḍavas. O King, Bhīṣma then showered many arrows upon his dear kinsman.”
धृतराष्ट उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how fear and insecurity born of enmity can drive a person to seek protection with a stronger party, and how war tragically turns even beloved relatives into targets—raising ethical tension between personal bonds and martial duty.
Dhṛtarāṣṭra reports that someone, due to anxiety and fear, had earlier taken refuge with the Pāṇḍavas; he then notes that Bhīṣma, in the battle context, showered many arrows upon a dear kinsman.