Shloka 43
तत: शिखण्डी वेगेन प्रगृह् परमायुधम् । भीष्ममेवाभिदुद्राव रक्ष्यमाण: किरीटिना,तब शिखण्डी अपने उत्तम अस्त्र-शस्त्रोंको लेकर बड़े वेगसे भीष्मकी ही ओर दौड़ा। उस समय किरीटधारी अर्जुन उसकी रक्षा कर रहे थे
tataḥ śikhaṇḍī vegena pragṛhya paramāyudham | bhīṣmam evābhidudrāva rakṣyamāṇaḥ kirīṭinā ||
Sañjaya berkata: Kemudian Śikhaṇḍī, menggenggam senjata-senjata tertingginya, meluru dengan deras terus ke arah Bhīṣma. Ketika dia mara, Arjuna yang bermahkota diadem (Kirīṭin) melindunginya—agar serangan terhadap sang datuk agung berlangsung di bawah lindungan, mencerminkan kira-kira moral perang yang keras, tempat strategi dan kewajipan saling bertaut.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the tension between dharma and battlefield necessity: even revered elders like Bhīṣma are confronted through careful strategy, and a warrior’s duty is carried out with protection and coordination rather than mere personal valor.
Śikhaṇḍī charges directly at Bhīṣma with powerful weapons, while Arjuna (the diadem-crowned) protects Śikhaṇḍī, enabling the focused attack on Bhīṣma during the Kurukṣetra battle.