Shloka 55
Adhyāya 111 (Book 6): Daśama-dina-saṃgrāma—Bhīṣma’s Counsel to Yudhiṣṭhira and the Śikhaṇḍin-Led Advance
नावहास्या यथा वीर भवेम परमाहवे । तथा कुरु रणे यत्नं साधयस्व पितामहम्,“वीर! इस महायुद्धमें जैसे भी हमलोग हँसीके पात्र न बनें, वैसा प्रयत्न करो। रणक्षेत्रमें पितामह भीष्मको अवश्य मार डालो
nāvahāsyā yathā vīra bhavema paramāhave | tathā kuru raṇe yatnaṃ sādhayasva pitāmaham ||
Sañjaya disse: “Ó herói, age de tal modo que, nesta batalha suprema, não nos tornemos objeto de escárnio. Portanto, esforça-te no campo de guerra e derruba o Avô (Bhīṣma).”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse stresses the kṣatriya concern for honor and collective reputation in war: one must act decisively and exert full effort so that one’s side is not disgraced, even when the opponent is a revered elder like Bhīṣma.
Sañjaya urges a leading warrior on the Kaurava side (contextually, Duryodhana) to intensify efforts in battle and ensure Bhīṣma’s downfall, warning that failure will make their side a target of public mockery.