Shloka 32
भीष्मधनंजयद्वैरथम्
Bhīṣma–Dhanaṃjaya Duel and the Opening Clash
अशीत्या निशितैर्बाणैस्ततो5क्रोशन्त तावका: । राजन! तब रथियोंमें श्रेष्ठ भीष्मने पाण्डुनन्दन अर्जुनको अस्सी पैने बाण मारकर बींध डाला। यह देखकर आपके सैनिक हर्षसे कोलाहल करने लगे ।।
sañjaya uvāca | aśītyā niśitair bāṇais tato ’krośanta tāvakāḥ | rājann, tava rathīnāṃ śreṣṭho bhīṣmaḥ pāṇḍunandanaṃ arjunaṃ aśīti-praharaiḥ tīkṣṇaiḥ bāṇaiḥ viddhvā | etad dṛṣṭvā tava sainikāḥ harṣeṇa kolāhalaṃ cakruḥ | teṣāṃ tu ninadaṃ śrutvā sahitānāṃ prahṛṣṭavat ... |
Sañjaya berkata: Kemudian, wahai Raja, orang-orangmu bersorak. Bhīṣma, yang terunggul antara para pahlawan kereta perang, menembusi Arjuna, putera Pāṇḍu, dengan lapan puluh anak panah yang tajam. Melihat hal itu, tenteramu pun menggemuruhkan sorakan kemenangan. Mendengar deru pasukan yang berhimpun dan bersukacita itu, pihak lawan segera bergerak membalas, lalu arus pertempuran pun berubah.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the volatility of battlefield judgment: immediate tactical success (Bhīṣma’s powerful strike) produces collective elation and loud acclaim, yet such reactions do not settle the deeper dharmic question of right and wrong. It cautions that morale and triumphalism can surge from violence, even while the ultimate outcome and ethical evaluation remain unresolved.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Bhīṣma, the foremost Kaurava chariot-warrior, pierces Arjuna with eighty sharp arrows. The Kaurava soldiers, seeing Arjuna struck, shout in joy and raise an uproar; the next line begins to describe the response upon hearing that roar.