Mahabharata 6.116.51 — Bhishma Parva, Adhyaya 116, Shloka 51
भीष्मस्य जलप्रार्थना — अर्जुनस्य पर्जन्यास्त्रप्रयोगः — दुर्योधनं प्रति सन्ध्युपदेशः
Bhīṣma’s request for water; Arjuna’s Parjanya-astra; counsel to Duryodhana on reconciliation
सुशर्मन् गच्छ शीघ्र त्वं बलौचै: परिवारित: । जहि पाण्डुसुतावेतोी धनंजयवृकोदरी,भेजते समय उसने कहा--'सुशर्मन्! तुम विशाल सेनाके साथ शीघ्र जाओ और अर्जुन तथा भीमसेन इन दोनों पाण्डुकुमारोंको मार डालो”
suśarman gaccha śīghra tvaṃ balaucaiḥ parivāritaḥ | jahi pāṇḍusutāv etau dhanañjayavṛkodarau ||
ಸಂಜಯನು ಹೇಳಿದನು— “ಸುಶರ್ಮನೇ! ಮಹಾಬಲಸೇನೆಯಿಂದ ಪರಿವಾರಿತನಾಗಿ ತಕ್ಷಣ ಹೋಗು; ಪಾಂಡುವಿನ ಈ ಇಬ್ಬರು ಪುತ್ರರು—ಧನಂಜಯ (ಅರ್ಜುನ) ಮತ್ತು ವೃಕೋದರ (ಭೀಮ)—ಇವರನ್ನು ಸಂಹರಿಸು.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the tension between ethical ideals and wartime imperatives: commanders prioritize strategic elimination of key warriors (Arjuna and Bhīma) to shift the balance of battle, illustrating how dharma in war is often framed through kṣatriya duty and victory-oriented counsel.
Sañjaya reports an order directed to Suśarman to move quickly with a strong contingent and engage decisively, aiming to kill Arjuna and Bhīma—two pivotal Pāṇḍava fighters whose presence strongly influences the course of the battle.
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