Shloka 13
अध्याय ८८ — घटोत्कच-दुर्योधनयुद्धवर्णनम्
Ghaṭotkaca–Duryodhana Engagement
(भीष्मो5पि दृष्टवा समरे कृतास्त्रान् स पाण्डवानां रथिनो हरुदारान् | विहाय संग्राममुखे धनंजयं जवेन पार्थ पुनराजगाम ।।
sañjaya uvāca | bhīṣmo 'pi dṛṣṭvā samare kṛtāstrān sa pāṇḍavānāṁ rathino hṛdārān | vihāya saṅgrāmamukhe dhanañjayaṁ javena pārtha punar ājagāma ||
ସଞ୍ଜୟ କହିଲେ—ରଣଭୂମିରେ ସମ୍ମୁଖେ ଅସ୍ତ୍ରସଜ୍ଜ, ଉଦାରହୃଦୟ ପାଣ୍ଡବ ମହାରଥୀମାନଙ୍କୁ ଦେଖିଥିଲେ ମଧ୍ୟ ଭୀଷ୍ମ ସେମାନଙ୍କୁ ଯୁଦ୍ଧମୁଖରେ ଛାଡ଼ି, ମହାବେଗରେ ପୁନର୍ବାର ଧନଞ୍ଜୟ (ଅର୍ଜୁନ)ଙ୍କ ନିକଟକୁ ଫେରିଗଲେ।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights disciplined prioritization of duty in war: even when many worthy opponents stand before him, Bhīṣma chooses the most consequential engagement. Ethically, it reflects kṣatriya-dharma as strategic responsibility—directing one’s effort where it most affects the course of the conflict.
Sañjaya reports that Bhīṣma, seeing the armed and noble Pāṇḍava chariot-fighters at the battle-front, does not remain to fight them then; instead he swiftly leaves them and returns toward Arjuna (Dhanañjaya/Pārtha), indicating a tactical shift and a renewed focus on confronting Arjuna.