Shloka 9
Bhīṣma’s Stuti of Keśava and Counsel on Nara–Nārāyaṇa (भीष्म-स्तवः; नरनारायण-प्रसङ्गः)
सूपस्करं सोत्तरबन्धुरेष॑ यत्तं यदूनामृषभेण संख्ये । कपिध्वजं प्रेक्ष्य विषेदुराजौ सहैव पुत्रैस्तव कौरवेया:,रुक्मदण्डां महाशक्तिं प्रेषितां सौमदत्तिना । शितेनोरगसंकाशां पत्रिणापजहार ताम् फिर भूरिश्रवाकी चलायी हुई स्वर्णदण्डविभूषित सर्पसदृश महाशक्तिको तीखे बाणसे छिन्न-भिन्न कर डाला
sa-upaskaraṁ sa-uttarabandhur eṣa yat taṁ yadūnām ṛṣabheṇa saṅkhye | kapidhvajaṁ prekṣya viṣedur ājau sahaiva putrais tava kauraveyāḥ || rukmadaṇḍāṁ mahāśaktiṁ preṣitāṁ saumadattinā | śitenoragasaṅkāśāṁ patriṇāpajahar tām ||
Sañjaya said: Seeing Kṛṣṇa—bearing his full equipment and accompanied by his elder brother—standing in the battle as the foremost of the Yādavas, and beholding Arjuna with the monkey-banner, your Kaurava warriors, along with their sons, grew despondent on the battlefield. Then the great spear with a golden shaft, sent by Saumadatti (Bhūriśravas), sharp and serpent-like, was struck down and shattered by Arjuna with a keen, feathered arrow—signaling how skill and resolve can check even a formidable assault in war.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how morale and perception shape outcomes in war: the sight of formidable leaders (Kṛṣṇa with Balarāma, and Arjuna as Kapidhvaja) can unsettle opponents, while disciplined skill and presence of mind can neutralize even a deadly weapon—an ethical reminder that power must be guided by steadiness and responsibility in kṣatriya-duty.
Sañjaya reports that the Kauravas become disheartened upon seeing Kṛṣṇa (with Balarāma) and Arjuna. Then Bhūriśravas (Saumadatti) hurls a great golden-shafted spear, which Arjuna strikes down and shatters with a sharp, feathered arrow.