Shloka 48
Vāsudeva-Māhātmya: Duryodhana’s Inquiry and Bhīṣma’s Theological Account of Keśava
नोदयाश्वान् यतो भीष्मो विगाहैतद् बलार्णवम् | पातयिष्यामि दुर्धर्ष वृद्धं कुकपितामहम्,वसुदेवनन्दन श्रीकृष्णके ऐसा कहनेपर अर्जुनने उन्हें इस प्रकार उत्तर दिया--“भगवन्! इन घोड़ोंको हाँककर वहीं ले चलिये, जहाँ भीष्म मौजूद हैं। इस सेनारूपी समुद्रमें प्रवेश कीजिये। आज मैं कुरुलके वृद्ध पितामह दुर्धर्ष वीर भीष्मको रथसे नीचे गिरा दूँगा!
sañjaya uvāca | nodayāśvān yato bhīṣmo vigāhaitad balārṇavam | pātayiṣyāmi durdharṣaṃ vṛddhaṃ kuru-pitāmaham ||
ଅର୍ଜୁନ କହିଲେ— “ଭଗବନ୍! ଘୋଡ଼ାମାନଙ୍କୁ ହାଙ୍କି ଯେଉଁଠି ଭୀଷ୍ମ ଅଛନ୍ତି ସେଠାକୁ ମୋତେ ନେଇ ଚାଲନ୍ତୁ। ଏହି ସେନାରୂପୀ ସମୁଦ୍ରରେ ପ୍ରବେଶ କରନ୍ତୁ। ଆଜି ମୁଁ କୁରୁମାନଙ୍କ ବୃଦ୍ଧ, ଦୁର୍ଧର୍ଷ ପିତାମହ ଭୀଷ୍ମଙ୍କୁ ରଥରୁ ତଳେ ପକାଇଦେବି।”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights kshatriya resolve within dharma: decisive action in battle is framed as duty, yet it is undertaken through reliance on rightful guidance—Arjuna’s command is directed to Krishna as charioteer, implying disciplined agency rather than reckless violence.
Arjuna instructs Krishna to drive the chariot into the thick of the Kaurava host toward Bhishma’s position, declaring that he will bring the formidable elder Bhishma down from his chariot that day.