Shloka 1
भीष्मवधाय प्रयाणम् — The Advance toward Bhīṣma and Counter-Engagements
इस प्रकार श्रीमह्याभारत भीष्मपर्वके अन्तर्गत भीष्मवधपर्वमें संकुलयुद्धमें द्रोगपराक्रमविषयक सतहत्तरवाँ अध्याय पूरा हुआ ॥/ ७७ ॥। [दाक्षिणात्य अधिक पाठके ४ ६ श्लोक मिलाकर कुल ७९ ६ “लोक हैं।] #स्न्रैमा+ () अिऔमस+- अष्टसप्ततितमो< ध्याय: उभय पक्षकी सेनाओंका संकुल युद्ध संजय उवाच ततो दुर्योधनो राजा मोहात् प्रत्यागतस्तदा । शरवर्ष: पुनर्भीम॑ प्रत्यवारयदच्युतम्
sañjaya uvāca | tato duryodhano rājā mohāt pratyāgatas tadā | śaravarṣaḥ punar bhīmaṃ pratyavārayad acyutam ||
Sañjaya said: Then King Duryodhana, having turned back in delusion, at that time again checked Bhīma and Acyuta (Kṛṣṇa) by a shower of arrows. The scene underscores how, amid the confusion of battle, pride and bewilderment drive leaders to renewed aggression, even when prudence and righteousness would counsel restraint.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights moha (delusion) as a moral and strategic failing: in the fog of war, attachment to ego and victory can compel a ruler to re-enter violence impulsively. By contrast, the presence of Acyuta (Kṛṣṇa) evokes steadiness and right discernment, suggesting that clarity and dharma are antidotes to battlefield confusion.
Sañjaya reports that Duryodhana turns back and resumes the fight; he attempts to stop or repel Bhīma and Kṛṣṇa by releasing a dense volley of arrows. It is a moment within the chaotic ‘sankula’ (confused, close-pressed) fighting where combatants repeatedly engage and disengage.