Shloka 11
शराभितप्तकायो<पि शस्त्रसम्पातमूर्च्छित: । पानीयमिति सम्प्रेक्ष्य राज्ञस्तान् प्रत्यभाषत,भरतश्रेष्ठ! भीष्मजी बाणोंसे संतप्त होकर सर्पके समान लम्बी साँस खींच रहे थे। वे अपनी वेदनाको धैर्यपूर्वक सह रहे थे। बाणोंकी जलनसे उनका सारा शरीर जल रहा था। वे शस्त्रोंके आघातसे मूर्च्छित-से हो रहे थे। उस समय उन्होंने राजाओंकी ओर देखकर केवल इतना ही कहा 'पानी”
śarābhitaptakāyo 'pi śastrasampātamūrcchitaḥ | pānīyam iti samprekṣya rājñas tān pratyabhāṣata, bharataśreṣṭha |
Disse Sañjaya: Embora seu corpo estivesse chamuscado pelas flechas e ele quase desfalecesse sob o ímpeto das armas, Bhīṣma voltou o olhar para aqueles reis e disse apenas isto: “Água”, ó o melhor dos Bhāratas.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical contrast between martial glory and human fragility: even a great warrior enduring pain with fortitude ultimately needs simple compassion and basic sustenance. It invites reflection on mercy and care amid the harshness of war.
Bhīṣma, grievously wounded and overwhelmed by the shower of weapons, turns his gaze toward the assembled kings and utters a single request—“Water.” Sañjaya reports this to Dhṛtarāṣṭra.