Shloka 15
भीष्मपर्व — अध्याय ७२: सैन्यगुणवर्णनम्, व्यूहरक्षा, दैव-पुरुषकारचिन्ता
सम्मुहृति तदा सैन्ये त्वरमाणो धनंजय: । भीष्मं शरसहस्त्रेण विव्याध रणमूर्थनि,उस समय अपनी सेनाको मोहित होती देख अर्जुनने बड़ी उतावलीके साथ युद्धके मुहानेपर एक हजार बाणोंकी वर्षा करके भीष्मको घायल कर दिया
sammuhyati tadā sainye tvaramāṇo dhanañjayaḥ | bhīṣmaṃ śarasahasreṇa vivyādha raṇamūrdhani ||
Sañjaya said: Then, seeing his own army thrown into confusion, Dhanañjaya (Arjuna), acting with urgent resolve, struck Bhīṣma at the very forefront of the battle, piercing him with a thousand arrows. The moment underscores the harsh ethics of war: even the most revered elder must be opposed when he stands as the pillar of an unrighteous cause, and decisive action becomes a duty to prevent the collapse of one’s side.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
When a revered figure becomes the main support of an unjust side, dharma may require firm resistance without personal hatred. The verse highlights decisive, duty-driven action in war to prevent one’s forces from collapsing into confusion.
As the army is thrown into disarray, Arjuna urgently advances to the battle-front and showers Bhīṣma with a thousand arrows, wounding him and attempting to check Bhīṣma’s overwhelming dominance.