Shloka 33
प्रजानाथ! तदनन्तर आपका पुत्र दुर्योधन महान् यश पानेकी इच्छा रखता हुआ अपनी विशाल सेनाके साथ भीष्मके पास पहुँचकर उनकी रक्षा करने लगा ।। तथैव पाण्डवा राजन् पुरस्कृत्य धनंजयम् | भीष्ममेवाभ्यवर्तन्त जये कृत्वा दृढ़ां मतिम्,राजन! इसी प्रकार पाण्डव भी विजय-प्राप्तिके लिये दृढ़ निश्चय करके अर्जुनको आगे कर भीष्मपर ही टूट पड़े
prajānātha! tadanantara āpaka putra duryodhana mahān yaśa pāne kī icchā rakhatā huā apanī viśāla senā ke sātha bhīṣma ke pāsa pahuṃcakara unakī rakṣā karane lagā || tathaiva pāṇḍavā rājan puraskṛtya dhanañjayam | bhīṣmam evābhyavartanta jaye kṛtvā dṛḍhāṃ matim ||
O lord of the people! Thereafter your son Duryodhana, longing to win great renown, approached Bhishma with his vast army and set himself to protect him. In the same way, O king, the Pandavas—having placed Dhananjaya (Arjuna) in the forefront—rushed straight at Bhishma, firmly resolved to secure victory.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights two contrasting yet parallel war-ethics: the Kauravas rally to protect their commander (loyalty and cohesion), while the Pandavas concentrate force against the key pillar of the enemy (strategic focus). It also shows how the pursuit of fame (yaśas) can drive action in war, alongside steadfast resolve (dṛḍhā mati) aimed at victory.
After earlier developments in the battle, Duryodhana comes with a large force to Bhishma’s side to guard him. Simultaneously, the Pandavas decide that striking Bhishma is decisive; they put Arjuna at the front and charge directly toward Bhishma with firm determination to win.