Shloka 26
भीष्मस्य शरशय्या-प्राप्तिः
Bhīṣma’s Fall to the Arrow-Bed
अश्वत्थामा ततस्तौ तु विव्याध बहुभि: शरै: । विराटद्रुपदौ वीरौ भीष्म प्रति समुझतौ
sañjaya uvāca |
aśvatthāmā tatastau tu vivyādha bahubhiḥ śaraiḥ |
virāṭa-drupadau vīrau bhīṣmaṃ prati samudyatau ||
サンジャヤは言った。「そのときアシュヴァッターマは、多くの矢をもって二人の勇士—ヴィラータとドルパダ—を射貫いた。ビーマに迫ろうとする勇猛なる王ヴィラータとドルパダは前へ前へと押し進んだが、まさに打ちかかり目的へと突き進むその最中に、アシュヴァッターマの反撃を受けて矢に倒れた。戦場の苛烈な相互応報—正しき決意と王者の武勇でさえ、武の対抗がもたらす帰結を即座に受ける—がそこに示されていた。」
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the immediacy of consequence in righteous warfare: valor and intent (even against a formidable elder like Bhīṣma) must contend with equal and opposite force. It reflects kṣatriya-dharma in practice—courage, initiative, and the acceptance that one’s actions in battle invite swift retaliation.
Sañjaya reports that Virāṭa and Drupada are advancing with the aim of confronting (and effectively seeking the fall of) Bhīṣma. Aśvatthāmā counters them, piercing both kings with many arrows, checking their advance through superior archery.