Shloka 35
Adhyāya 112: Bhīṣma-prati Arjunasya Pravṛttiḥ
Arjuna’s Forward Drive Toward Bhīṣma
पूर्णे शतसहस्रे द्वे पादातानां नरोत्तम: | प्रजज्वाल रणे भीष्मो विधूम इव पावक:
pūrṇe śatasahasre dve pādātānāṃ narottamaḥ | prajajvāla raṇe bhīṣmo vidhūma iva pāvakaḥ ||
ਮਹਾਰਾਜ! ਜਦੋਂ ਦੋ ਲੱਖ ਪੈਦਲ ਸੈਨਿਕਾਂ ਨਾਲ ਮੈਦਾਨ ਭਰ ਗਿਆ, ਤਦ ਨਰਸ਼੍ਰੇਸ਼ਠ ਭੀਸ਼ਮ ਰਣ ਵਿੱਚ ਧੂੰਏਂ-ਰਹਿਤ ਅੱਗ ਵਾਂਗ ਭੜਕ ਉਠਿਆ।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse uses the image of “smokeless fire” to portray focused, unobstructed martial power. Ethically, it highlights the terrible efficiency of war: even when performed as kṣatriya-duty, battle consumes lives swiftly, reminding the listener (Dhṛtarāṣṭra) of the grave consequences of choosing conflict.
Sañjaya reports to the king that Bhīṣma, amid a vast infantry force numbering two hundred thousand, erupts in combat brilliance and destructive force, likened to a clear, smokeless fire that burns through opponents on the battlefield.