Shloka 48
भीष्मस्य जलप्रार्थना — अर्जुनस्य पर्जन्यास्त्रप्रयोगः — दुर्योधनं प्रति सन्ध्युपदेशः
Bhīṣma’s request for water; Arjuna’s Parjanya-astra; counsel to Duryodhana on reconciliation
भीष्मस्य निधनाकाडुश्षी पुरस्कृत्य शिखण्डिनम् । आससाद रणे वीरांस्तावकान् दश भारत
bhīṣmasya nidhanākāṅkṣī puraskṛtya śikhaṇḍinam | āsasāda raṇe vīrāṁs tāvakān daśa bhārata bharatanandana ||
サञ्जयは語った。アルジュナはビシュマの死を念じ、シカンディンを前に立てて戦へと進み、汝の側の十人の勇士――その戦場でビーマが相手取っていた同じ強者たち――に対峙した。この場面は、道義の制約に形づくられた戦略を示す。アルジュナは、ビシュマが「女と見なす者とは戦わぬ」という誓いを迂回するため、シカンディンを手段としてビシュマを倒そうとしたのである。
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how dharma and personal vows shape battlefield conduct: Bhīṣma’s ethical restraint regarding Śikhaṇḍin becomes a decisive strategic factor, showing that moral commitments can alter the course of war as much as weapons do.
Arjuna advances to face ten Kaurava-side heroes while Bhīma is already engaged with them; Arjuna’s specific aim is Bhīṣma’s fall, and he places Śikhaṇḍin at the front to neutralize Bhīṣma’s resistance and enable the impending takedown.