Shloka 23
भीष्मधनंजयद्वैरथम्
Bhīṣma–Dhanaṃjaya Duel and the Opening Clash
ततो भीष्मो महाराज सर्वलोकमहारथ:
tato bhīṣmo mahārāja sarvalokamahārathaḥ, vikarṇo daśabhir bhallai rājann vivyādha pāṇḍavam |
Sañjaya berkata: Kemudian, wahai raja agung, Bhīṣma—maharathi yang termasyhur di seluruh alam—bersama Vikarṇa, menikam Arjuna putera Pāṇḍu dengan anak panah bhalla yang tajam. Lalu para juara utama pihak Kaurava, berniat menundukkannya, memanahnya bertubi-tubi: Bhīṣma 77, Droṇa 25, Kṛpa 50, Duryodhana 64, Śalya 9, Jayadratha 9, Śakuni 5, dan Vikarṇa 10 bhalla.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the harsh reality of kṣatriya warfare: renowned warriors relentlessly strike a principal opponent. Ethically, it underscores the heavy consequence of violence performed under royal and martial duty, reminding the listener that fame and prowess do not remove the moral gravity of harming others.
Sañjaya reports to King Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Bhīṣma, celebrated as a supreme chariot-warrior, and Vikarṇa attack Arjuna, wounding him with bhalla-arrows. It is part of the escalating exchange of missiles in the Kurukṣetra battle.