Shloka 116
भीष्मस्य अप्रतिमपराक्रमः — शिखण्डिपुरस्कृतः प्रहारः
Bhīṣma’s unmatched momentum and the assault with Śikhaṇḍin in the lead
विकर्णो वारयामास इच्छन् भीष्मस्य जीवितम् | इसी प्रकार शूरवीर नकुल बहुत-से सायकोंकी वर्षा कर रहे थे, परंतु भीष्मके जीवनकी रक्षा चाहनेवाले विकर्णने उन्हें रोक दिया
vikarṇo vārayāmāsa icchan bhīṣmasya jīvitam |
Sañjaya berkata: Dengan hasrat memelihara nyawa Bhīṣma, Vikarṇa menahan serangan itu. Walaupun Nakula yang gagah sedang menghujani panah yang banyak, Vikarṇa—yang berniat melindungi Bhīṣma—tetap menghalangnya, memperlihatkan bahawa kesetiaan dan kewajipan kepada panglima boleh mengatasi dorongan untuk memukul serta-merta di medan perang.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a battlefield ethic where allegiance and protective duty toward a revered commander (Bhīṣma) can compel a warrior (Vikarṇa) to restrain even a legitimate enemy assault, showing how dharma in war includes guarding those one is bound to honor and defend.
During the Kurukṣetra fighting, Nakula is raining arrows, but Vikarṇa intervenes to stop him because he wants Bhīṣma to remain alive, indicating active protection of Bhīṣma by Kaurava allies amid intense combat.