Shloka 116
भीष्मस्य अप्रतिमपराक्रमः — शिखण्डिपुरस्कृतः प्रहारः
Bhīṣma’s unmatched momentum and the assault with Śikhaṇḍin in the lead
विकर्णो वारयामास इच्छन् भीष्मस्य जीवितम् | इसी प्रकार शूरवीर नकुल बहुत-से सायकोंकी वर्षा कर रहे थे, परंतु भीष्मके जीवनकी रक्षा चाहनेवाले विकर्णने उन्हें रोक दिया
vikarṇo vārayāmāsa icchan bhīṣmasya jīvitam |
サञ्जयは言った。ビーシュマの命を守らんとして、ヴィカルナは攻撃を制した。勇将ナクラが無数の矢を雨のごとく降らせていたにもかかわらず、ビーシュマを護る意志を抱くヴィカルナがこれを押しとどめたのである。ここに、将への忠誠と務めが、戦場で即座に打ちかかろうとする衝動を凌ぐことが示された。
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a battlefield ethic where allegiance and protective duty toward a revered commander (Bhīṣma) can compel a warrior (Vikarṇa) to restrain even a legitimate enemy assault, showing how dharma in war includes guarding those one is bound to honor and defend.
During the Kurukṣetra fighting, Nakula is raining arrows, but Vikarṇa intervenes to stop him because he wants Bhīṣma to remain alive, indicating active protection of Bhīṣma by Kaurava allies amid intense combat.