Shloka 15
एवमुक््त्वा शान्तनवो निन्दन् वाक्येन पार्थिवान् । अर्जुन द्रष्टमिच्छामीत्यभ्यभाषत भारत,भारत! ऐसा कहकर शान्तनुनन्दन भीष्मने अपनी वाणीद्वारा अन्य राजाओंकी निन्दा करते हुए कहा--“अब मैं अर्जुनको देखना चाहता हूँ
evam uktvā śāntanavo nindan vākyena pārthivān | arjuna draṣṭum icchāmīty abhyabhāṣata bhārata ||
संजय म्हणाला—हे भारत! असे बोलून शान्तनुनंदन भीष्माने वाणीने इतर राजांची निंदा करत म्हटले—“आता मला अर्जुनाला पाहायचे आहे.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a warrior-elder’s ethical discernment in war: empty status among kings is criticized, while true merit is acknowledged. Bhīṣma’s wish to see Arjuna underscores respect for genuine prowess and the moral seriousness of facing a worthy opponent.
Sañjaya reports that Bhīṣma, after rebuking other kings with sharp words, openly declares his desire to see (and by implication confront) Arjuna on the battlefield, signaling Arjuna’s central importance in the coming clash.