Shloka 24
अविध्यद् दशभिर्भ॑ष्म॑ छिन्नधन्वानमाहवे । सारथिं दशभिश्चास्य ध्वजं चैकेन चिच्छिदे
sañjaya uvāca | avidhyad daśabhir bhīṣmaṃ chinnadhanvān amāhave | sārathiṃ daśabhiś cāsya dhvajaṃ caikena cicchide |
ಸಂಜಯನು ಹೇಳಿದನು—ಯುದ್ಧದಲ್ಲಿ ಧನುಸ್ಸು ಕಡಿದುಹೋದ ಭೀಷ್ಮನನ್ನು ಶಿಖಂಡಿಯು ಹತ್ತು ಬಾಣಗಳಿಂದ ವಿದ್ಧಮಾಡಿದನು; ಭೀಷ್ಮನ ಸಾರಥಿಯನ್ನೂ ಹತ್ತು ಬಾಣಗಳಿಂದ ತಿವಿದು, ಒಂದೇ ಬಾಣದಿಂದ ಧ್ವಜವನ್ನು ಕತ್ತರಿಸಿದನು।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical tension in warfare: tactical efficiency can override reverence for age and status. It reflects the kṣatriya world where victory depends on exploiting openings (such as a disarmed opponent), while the broader epic invites reflection on the moral cost of such necessity.
Sañjaya reports that Śikhaṇḍin, taking advantage of Bhīṣma’s bow being cut, shoots Bhīṣma with ten arrows, wounds his charioteer with ten more, and then cuts down Bhīṣma’s banner with a single arrow—intensifying the pressure on Bhīṣma in the ongoing battle.