Mahabharata 11.23.20 — Stree Parva, Adhyaya 23, Shloka 20
Gāndhārī’s Battlefield Survey: The Fallen and the Onset of Funeral Rites (शल्य-भगीरथ-भीष्म-द्रोणादि-दर्शनम्)
पालयान: पितु: शास्त्रमूर्ध्वरेता महायशा: । एष शान्तनव: शेते माधवाप्रतिमो युधि
pālayan pituḥ śāstram ūrdhvaretā mahāyaśāḥ | eṣa śāntanavaḥ śete mādhavāpratimo yudhi, mādhava ||
വൈശമ്പായനൻ പറഞ്ഞു—മാധവാ! പിതാവിന്റെ ആജ്ഞ പാലിച്ചുകൊണ്ട്, ഊർദ്ധ്വരേതസ്സായ മഹായശസ്സുള്ള ശാന്തനുവിന്റെ പുത്രൻ ഭീഷ്മൻ—യുദ്ധത്തിൽ അപരിമേയൻ—ഇവിടെ ശയിച്ചിരിക്കുന്നു.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharma expressed as steadfast fidelity to a father’s command and the power of lifelong self-restraint (brahmacarya). It suggests that moral greatness is measured not only by martial prowess but by unwavering commitment to vows and duty.
Vaiśaṃpāyana points out Bhīṣma—Śāntanu’s son—now lying fallen after the war. He recalls Bhīṣma’s defining traits: obedience to his father’s injunction and his famed celibate vow, while also noting his unmatched stature as a warrior.
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