Adhyāya 104 — Śikhaṇḍin-puraskāraḥ (Śikhaṇḍin as Vanguard) and Bhīṣma’s Counter-Advance
प्रादुश्चक्रेडस्त्रमत्युग्रं भास्करं कुरुनन्दन: । ततः प्रकाशमभवज्जगत् सर्व महीपते
sañjaya uvāca | prāduścakred astram atyugraṃ bhāskaraṃ kurunandanaḥ | tataḥ prakāśam abhavaj jagat sarvaṃ mahīpate ||
ਕੁਰੂਆਂ ਦੇ ਆਨੰਦ (ਅਭਿਮਨ੍ਯੂ) ਨੇ ਅਤਿ ਉਗ੍ਰ ਭਾਸਕਰ ਅਸਤ੍ਰ ਪ੍ਰਗਟ ਕੀਤਾ। ਹੇ ਰਾਜਨ! ਤਦ ਸਾਰਾ ਜਗਤ ਪ੍ਰਕਾਸ਼ ਨਾਲ ਭਰ ਗਿਆ।
संजय उवाच
Even amid war’s chaos, power should be exercised with disciplined intent: the imagery of darkness being dispelled by a sun-like weapon underscores the ethical ideal that clarity, courage, and right resolve must overcome fear and confusion.
Sanjaya reports that Abhimanyu, described as the Kurus’ delight, invokes the fierce Bhāskara-weapon; its radiance spreads everywhere, removing the oppressive darkness and changing the battlefield’s condition.