Shloka 23
Chapter 51: Saṃdhyākāla-saṃhāra
Evening Withdrawal after Arjuna’s Counter-Advance
पराक्रान्तस्य तस्यैव भीष्मो5पि प्राहिणोच्छरान् | सतांश्रिच्छेद समरे भीष्मचापच्युतान् शरान्
parākrāntasya tasyaiva bhīṣmo 'pi prāhiṇoc charān | satāṁśriccheda samare bhīṣmacāpacyutān śarān |
ਤਦ ਉਸ ਪਰਾਕ੍ਰਮੀ ਯੋਧੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਭੀਸ਼ਮ ਨੇ ਵੀ ਤੀਰ ਚਲਾਏ; ਪਰ ਰਣਭੂਮੀ ਵਿੱਚ ਅਭਿਮਨ੍ਯੂ ਨੇ ਭੀਸ਼ਮ ਦੇ ਧਨੁਸ਼ ਤੋਂ ਨਿਕਲੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਸ਼ਰ ਕੱਟ ਦਿੱਤੇ।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights kṣatriya-dharma in practice: steadfastness and disciplined skill in battle. Even when faced with a revered elder-warrior like Bhīṣma, the younger hero meets force with controlled mastery, suggesting that duty in a righteous conflict demands courage without panic and competence without cruelty.
Sañjaya describes Bhīṣma shooting arrows at a mighty warrior; Abhimanyu responds by cutting down the incoming arrows in mid-battle, neutralizing Bhīṣma’s attack and demonstrating exceptional prowess.