Shloka 726
Vāsudeva-Māhātmya: Duryodhana’s Inquiry and Bhīṣma’s Theological Account of Keśava
कर्तव्यं नाभिजानाति रणे भीष्मस्य गौरवात् | महामना पाण्डवोंके इस भारी भारको मैं ही दूर करूँगा। अर्जुन इस युद्धमें तीखे बाणोंकी मार खाकर भी भीष्मके प्रति गौरवबुद्धि रखनेके कारण अपने कर्तव्यको नहीं समझ रहा है
kartavyaṁ nābhijānāti raṇe bhīṣmasya gauravāt | mahāmanā pāṇḍavo 'sya bhārī-bhāraṁ mayāiva dūrīkariṣyate | arjunaḥ asmin yuddhe tīkṣṇa-bāṇa-mārāṁ prāpya api bhīṣma-prati gaurava-buddhiṁ kṛtvā sva-kartavyaṁ na vijānāti |
サञ्जयは言った。「戦いのただ中で、アルジュナはなすべきことを悟れない。ビーシュマへの敬慕が彼を縛っているからだ。高き心をもつパーンドゥの子は、『この重くのしかかる荷を除くのは、ただ我ひとり』と考えているかのようである。だが、この戦で鋭い矢の打撃を受けながらも、アルジュナは—ビーシュマを敬う思いに心が固着して—自らの義務を見定められない。」
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a dharmic tension: reverence for a venerable elder (Bhīṣma) can cloud discernment of one’s immediate duty in a righteous war. Ethical action requires clarity about kartavya even when emotions like honor and respect create hesitation.
Sañjaya describes Arjuna’s state on the battlefield: despite being struck by sharp arrows, Arjuna remains restrained by deep respect for Bhīṣma and therefore does not act with full decisiveness. The passage frames Arjuna’s hesitation as a failure to recognize what must be done in that moment.