Shloka 58
भीष्मस्य शरशय्या-प्राप्तिः
Bhīṣma’s Fall to the Arrow-Bed
(पार्थोडपि समरे राजन् दुःशासनमताडयत् | ताडिते बहुधा पुत्रे पार्थबाणैरजिद्दागै: ।।
sañjaya uvāca | pārtho 'pi samare rājan duḥśāsanam atāḍayat | tāḍite bahudhā putre pārtha-bāṇair ajiddhagaiḥ || babhūva vyathitā senā dṛṣṭvā pārtha-parākramam | punaś ca tāḍitā tena pārthenāmitatejasā || sa vadhyamānā samare putrasya tava vāhinī | loḍyate rathibhiḥ śreṣṭhais tatra tatraiva bhārata ||
サンジャヤは言った。「王よ、戦場においてアルジュナはドゥフシャーサナをも射て、まっすぐ飛ぶ矢で深手を負わせた。汝の子がアルジュナの矢に幾度も貫かれるのを見て、全軍はパールタの武威に打たれ、心乱れた。無量の光を放つアルジュナは、彼を繰り返し苦しめた。さらに汝の子の軍勢が戦いの中で討たれてゆくとき、バーラタよ、最上の戦車武者たちが矢で突き崩し、ここかしこへと打ち散らした。」
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how righteous resolve and superior skill can break an unjust force not only physically but psychologically: morale collapses when adharma-driven power meets disciplined valor. It also reflects the kṣatriya ethic of steadfastness in battle and the real consequences of prior wrongdoing returning as vulnerability on the field.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Arjuna repeatedly pierces Duḥśāsana with swift, straight arrows. Seeing Arjuna’s prowess, the Kaurava army becomes shaken and disordered, being battered and scattered by leading chariot-warriors across the battlefield.