Shloka 20
विजितस्तव पुत्रोडपि भीष्मबाहुव्यपाश्रय:
sañjaya uvāca | vijitas tava putro 'pi bhīṣma-bāhu-vyapāśrayaḥ, bhīṣmasya bhujayoḥ āśraye vartamānaḥ tava madonmattaḥ putro duḥśāsanaḥ parājito 'pi punaḥ punaḥ saṃstabhya mahā-vegena yuddham akarot | rājan, arjunaḥ tasmin raṇa-kṣetre yuddham kurvan mahāṃ śobhām avāpa |
Disse Sañjaya: Mesmo derrotado, teu filho—Duḥśāsana—embriagado de orgulho e amparado pelos poderosos braços de Bhīṣma, repetidas vezes recobrava o ânimo e tornava a arremeter na batalha com grande ímpeto. Ó Rei, Arjuna, combatendo naquele campo, resplandecia com esplendor evidente—sua proeza sobressaía em meio ao choque das armas.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse contrasts two inner drives in war: arrogant persistence that leans on another’s might (Duhshasana relying on Bhishma) versus earned radiance through skill and steadfast action (Arjuna’s conspicuous splendour). It implicitly warns that pride and borrowed strength can fuel reckless repetition, while true excellence manifests as clarity and distinction amid chaos.
Sanjaya reports to King Dhritarashtra that Duhshasana, though repeatedly defeated, keeps regaining composure and charging back into combat under the protective support of Bhishma. At the same time, Arjuna is described as standing out brilliantly on the battlefield through his fighting.