Shloka 56
Adhyāya 55: Pārtha–Rādheya Saṃvāda and Tactical Exchange
Chapter 55
महतो रथवंशस्य नानाध्वजपताकिन: । बलाहकाग्रे सूर्यो वा य एष प्रमुखे स्थित:
arjuna uvāca | mahato rathavaṁśasya nānādhvajapatākinaḥ | balāhakāgre sūryo vā ya eṣa pramukhe sthitaḥ |
Arjuna berkata: “Lihatlah dia yang berdiri di barisan paling hadapan bagi bala besar para pahlawan berkereta, ditandai dengan pelbagai panji dan bendera kecil—bersinar laksana matahari yang muncul di hadapan gumpalan awan. Dialah Bhīṣma, putera Śāntanu, datuk agung kita: bersemayam di atas kereta yang gemilang, memegang busur yang perkasa, terserlah dengan lambang dan kebesaran diraja. Namun, walau memiliki wibawa kedaulatan, dia menundukkan diri di bawah perintah Duryodhana; dan pemandangan itu membakar hatiku dengan dukacita.”
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical pain caused when a venerable elder, worthy of honor and independent authority, submits to an unrighteous command. It frames a dharma-conflict: reverence for elders and loyalty to one’s side versus the sorrow of seeing greatness harnessed to adharma.
Arjuna identifies the foremost warrior shining at the head of the army as Bhīṣma, Śāntanu’s son. He describes Bhīṣma’s splendor and martial eminence, then laments that Bhīṣma, despite his stature, serves under Duryodhana—an image that deeply distresses him.