Shloka 34
Bhīṣma-nipāta-saṃvāda — Sañjaya’s Report of Bhīṣma’s Fall (भीष्मनिपातसंवादः)
के<रक्षन् दक्षिण चक्र भीष्मस्यामिततेजस: । पृष्ठतः के परान् वीरानपासेधन् यतव्रता:,शत्रुहन्ता भीष्मने दुर्योधनके हितके लिये समरभूमिमें जो पराक्रम किया था, वह अनुपम है। उस समय कौन-कौनसे योद्धा उनके आगे थे? किन-किन वीरोंने अमिततेजस्वी भीष्मके रथके दाहिने पहियेकी रक्षा की थी? किन लोगोंने दृढ़तापूर्वक व्रतका पालन करते हुए उनके पीछेकी ओर रहकर शत्रुपक्षके वीरोंको आगे बढ़नेसे रोका था?
ke rakṣan dakṣiṇaṃ cakraṃ bhīṣmasyāmitatejasaḥ | pṛṣṭhataḥ ke parān vīrān apāsedhan yatavratāḥ ||
Dhṛtarāṣṭra disse: “Quem guardou a roda direita do carro de Bhīṣma, de esplendor incomensurável? E quem, postado atrás dele—homens de votos firmes—conteve os heróis inimigos para que não avançassem?”
धृतराष्ट उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights disciplined duty in war: victory depends not only on a great commander like Bhīṣma but also on coordinated protection—guards at vulnerable points (the chariot wheel) and steadfast rear defense—showing how collective loyalty and restraint sustain a leader’s effectiveness.
Dhṛtarāṣṭra questions Sañjaya about the battlefield arrangements around Bhīṣma: which warriors were assigned to protect the right wheel of his chariot and which disciplined fighters stayed behind to block the enemy’s heroes from advancing.