Shloka 44
भीष्मधनंजयद्वैरथम्
Bhīṣma–Dhanaṃjaya Duel and the Opening Clash
अर्जुन: समरश्लाघी भीष्मस्यावारयद् दिश: । तदनन्तर युद्धकी श्लाघा रखनेवाले पाण्डुनन्दन अर्जुनने अच्छी तरह छोड़े हुए एक हजार बाणोंद्वारा भीष्मको सब ओरसे रोक दिया ।।
arjunaḥ samaraślāghī bhīṣmasyāvārayad diśaḥ | tadanantaraṃ yuddhakīrtiślāghārakṣaṇavāle pāṇḍunandana arjunena suṣṭhu muktaisahasraśarair bhīṣmo sarvataḥ paryavāryata || śarajālaṃ tatastat tu śarajālena māriṣa ||
Sañjaya berkata: “Arjuna, yang termasyhur di medan laga, menahan gerak Bhīṣma dari segala arah. Sesudah itu putera Pāṇḍu—Arjuna—demi memelihara kemuliaan seorang kṣatriya, mengepung Bhīṣma dari segenap penjuru dengan seribu anak panah yang dilepaskan dengan sempurna, bagaikan jaring panah menangkis hujan panah Bhīṣma.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage highlights Kṣatriya-dharma: in a righteous war one must act with disciplined excellence and unwavering resolve, even against revered elders, without abandoning duty or composure.
Sañjaya describes Arjuna countering Bhīṣma’s assault by releasing a large volley—likened to a net of arrows—so that Bhīṣma is effectively checked and hemmed in on all sides.