Shloka 4
अर्जुनस्तु महाराज शिखण्डिनमभाषत । अभिवद्रवस्व त्वरितं जहि चैनं पितामहम्,महाराज! उस समय अर्जुनने शिखण्डीसे कहा--“वीर! तुम झटपट आगे बढ़ो और इन पितामह भीष्मका वध कर डालो
arjunas tu mahārāja śikhaṇḍinam abhāṣata | abhidadravasva tvaritaṃ jahi cainaṃ pitāmaham ||
Sañjaya berkata: Wahai Raja, ketika itu Arjuna berkata kepada Śikhaṇḍī: “Wahai pahlawan, mara segera; majulah dan tumbangkan datuk agung Bhīṣma ini!”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical strain of righteous warfare: even when facing a revered elder like Bhīṣma, the warrior’s duty and the demands of strategy can compel harsh action. It frames victory as a burden carried under dharma, not as vengeance.
Sañjaya reports to King Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Arjuna urges Śikhaṇḍin to move quickly to the front and strike Bhīṣma. This aligns with the battlefield tactic of placing Śikhaṇḍin before Arjuna, enabling engagement with Bhīṣma.