Shloka 65
Vāsudeva-Māhātmya: Duryodhana’s Inquiry and Bhīṣma’s Theological Account of Keśava
ततस्तु कृष्ण: समरे दृष्टवा भीष्मपराक्रमम् । सम्प्रेक्ष्य च महाबाहु: पार्थस्य मृदुयुद्धताम्,तदनन्तर महाबाहु श्रीकृष्णने उस समरांगणमें भीष्मका पराक्रम देखकर यह विचार किया कि अर्जुन तो कोमलतापूर्वक युद्ध कर रहा है और भीष्म युद्धस्थलमें निरन्तर बाणोंकी वर्षा कर रहे हैं। ये दोनों सेनाओंके बीचमें आकर तपते हुए सूर्यकी भाँति सुशोभित होते और पाण्डुपुत्र युधिष्ठिरके अच्छे-अच्छे सैनिकोंको चुन-चुनकर मार रहे हैं। युधिष्ठिरकी सेनामें भीष्मने प्रलयकालका-सा दृश्य उपस्थित कर दिया है
tatas tu kṛṣṇaḥ samare dṛṣṭvā bhīṣma-parākramam | samprekṣya ca mahābāhuḥ pārthasya mṛdu-yuddhatām ||
Sañjaya said: Then Kṛṣṇa, seeing Bhīṣma’s formidable prowess on the battlefield, and observing that the mighty-armed Pārtha (Arjuna) was fighting with undue gentleness, reflected on the ethical tension of the moment—how restraint born of reverence can, in war, allow adharma-like devastation to spread. The scene underscores that compassion and respect, when misplaced in a crisis of duty, may enable greater harm to one’s own side and to the righteous cause.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a dharmic dilemma: personal reverence and softness toward an elder (Bhīṣma) can become ethically problematic when it results in greater destruction and failure to protect one’s rightful cause. In a crisis, duty must be performed with clarity and firmness, not with paralyzing attachment.
Sañjaya reports that Kṛṣṇa observes Bhīṣma’s overwhelming effectiveness in battle and notices that Arjuna is fighting too gently. This observation sets up Kṛṣṇa’s ensuing resolve to counter Bhīṣma’s onslaught and to press Arjuna toward decisive action.