Mahabharata — Virata Parva, Shloka 17
Adhyāya 61: Saṃmohana-astra and the Kuru Withdrawal (संमोहनास्त्रं तथा कुरुनिवृत्तिः)
सेनाग्रमाशु भीष्मस्य प्रापयस्वैतदेव माम् आच्छेत्स्याम्यहमेतस्य धनुज्यामपि चाहवे
senāgram āśu bhīṣmasya prāpayasvaitad eva mām | ācchetsyāmy aham etasya dhanujyām api cāhave ||
ヴァイシャンパーヤナは語った。「王子よ、急ぎ我が戦車をビ―シュマの軍勢の最前線へまっすぐ走らせ、私をそこへ届けよ。この戦では、彼の弓弦さえ断ち切ってみせる。」
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
In a righteous battle, a warrior may need firm, even drastic, measures to restrain a formidable opponent; reverence for elders does not erase the demands of duty when protection and justice are at stake.
The speaker orders the charioteer—addressed as “prince”—to drive swiftly to the forefront of Bhīṣma’s forces, declaring an intention to disable Bhīṣma by cutting his bowstring, a tactical act meant to neutralize his combat power.