Shloka 95
Vāsudeva-Māhātmya: Duryodhana’s Inquiry and Bhīṣma’s Theological Account of Keśava
तमाद्रवन्तं प्रगृहीतचक्रं दृष्टवा देवं शान्तनवस्तदानीम् | असम्भ्रमं तद् विचकर्ष दोर्भ्या महाभनुर्गाण्डिवतुल्यघोषम्,भगवानको चक्र लिये अपनी ओर वेगपूर्वक आते देख शान्तनुनन्दन भीष्म उस समय तनिक भी भय अथवा घबराहटका अनुभव न करते हुए दोनों हाथोंसे गाण्डीव धनुषके समान गम्भीर घोष करनेवाले अपने महान् धनुषको खींचने लगे
tam ādravantaṃ pragṛhītacakraṃ dṛṣṭvā devaṃ śāntanavas tadānīm | asambhramaṃ tad vicakarṣa dorbhyā mahādhanuḥ gāṇḍīvatulyaghoṣam ||
Sañjaya said: Seeing the divine one rushing toward him with the discus raised, Śāntanu’s son Bhīṣma at that moment felt no fear or agitation. Calmly, with both arms he drew back his great bow, whose deep roar was like that of Gāṇḍīva—meeting the oncoming assault with steady resolve and warrior-dharma.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights steadiness under threat: even when confronted by a seemingly overwhelming, divinely charged attack, Bhīṣma remains asambhrama—unshaken—and responds according to his warrior duty. Ethically, it underscores composure, resolve, and adherence to one’s svadharma amid crisis.
Kṛṣṇa, described as ‘the divine one,’ rushes toward Bhīṣma with the discus raised. Bhīṣma, Śāntanu’s son, sees this charge and, without fear or confusion, draws his great bow—its sound likened to Arjuna’s famed Gāṇḍīva—preparing to meet the oncoming strike.