Shloka 29
भीष्मस्य भीमसेन-निरोधः
Bhīṣma checks Bhīmasena; matched engagements intensify
दृष्टवा भ्रातृन् रणे सर्वान् निर्जितांस्तु महारथान् । शोकसम्मूढहदयो निशाकाले सम कौरव:,दुर्योधनने यही बात पितामह भीष्मसे पूछी थी। महाराज! युद्धमें अपने समस्त महारथी भाइयोंको पराजित हुआ देख आपके पुत्र कुरुराज दुर्योधनका हृदय शोकसे मोहित हो गया। उसने रातमें महाज्ञानी पितामह भीष्मके पास विनयपूर्वक जाकर जो कुछ पूछा था, वह बताता हूँ, मुझसे सुनिये
sañjaya uvāca | dṛṣṭvā bhrātṝn raṇe sarvān nirjitāṁs tu mahārathān | śoka-sammūḍha-hṛdayo niśā-kāle sama-kāuravaḥ ||
Sañjaya said: Seeing all his brothers—those great chariot-warriors—defeated in battle, Duryodhana, the Kuru prince, became inwardly overwhelmed by grief. In the night, with a mind clouded by sorrow, he approached the supremely wise grandsire Bhīṣma with humility and questioned him; listen, O King, as I relate what he asked.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how grief and attachment can cloud judgment even in a ruler, and it points to the ethical need for seeking wise counsel with humility—especially after setbacks in war and governance.
After witnessing his side’s leading warriors (his brothers/kinsmen) defeated, Duryodhana becomes distressed and, during the night, goes respectfully to Bhīṣma to ask questions; Sañjaya prepares to report that dialogue to Dhṛtarāṣṭra.