Shloka 20
भीष्मपतनविषये धृतराष्ट्रस्य प्रश्नाः | Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Questions on Bhīṣma’s Fall
संरक्ष्यमाण: पार्थन भीष्मेण च विवर्जित: । यथा न हन्याद् गाड़ेयं दःशासन तथा कुरु
saṃrakṣyamāṇaḥ pārthena bhīṣmeṇa ca vivarjitaḥ | yathā na hanyād gāṅgeyaṃ duḥśāsana tathā kuru ||
ಸಂಜಯನು ಹೇಳಿದನು—ದುಃಶಾಸನ! ಶಿಖಂಡಿ ಪಾರ್ಥ (ಅರ್ಜುನ)ನಿಂದ ರಕ್ಷಿಸಲ್ಪಡುತ್ತಿದ್ದಾನೆ; ಭೀಷ್ಮನೂ ಅವನನ್ನು ಎದುರಿಸದೆ ದೂರವಿದ್ದಾನೆ. ಆದ್ದರಿಂದ ಶಿಖಂಡಿ ಗಾಂಗೇಯ ಭೀಷ್ಮನನ್ನು ಹೊಡೆಯದಂತೆ ನೀನು ಹಾಗೆ ಪ್ರಯತ್ನಿಸು.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how vows and ethical restraints shape battlefield outcomes: Bhīṣma’s refusal to engage Śikhaṇḍin creates a moral-psychological vulnerability that others exploit. It underscores the tension between dharma-based restraint and the ruthless logic of war-strategy.
Sañjaya reports counsel directed at Duḥśāsana: since Śikhaṇḍin is shielded by Arjuna and Bhīṣma will not counter him, Duḥśāsana should act to prevent Śikhaṇḍin from becoming the instrument of Bhīṣma’s fall.