Shloka 13
भीष्मधनंजयद्वैरथम्
Bhīṣma–Dhanaṃjaya Duel and the Opening Clash
एष भीष्म: सुसंक्रुद्धो वाष्णेय मम वाहिनीम् । नाशयिष्यति सुव्यक्तं दुर्योधनहिते रत:,तब नरश्रेष्ठ अर्जुनने महारथी भीष्मको देखकर भगवान् श्रीकृष्णसे कुपित होकर कहा -- वार्ष्णेय! जहाँ पितामह भीष्म हैं, वहाँ चलिये। अन्यथा ये भीष्म अत्यन्त क्रोधमें भरकर निश्चय ही मेरी सारी सेनाका विनाश कर डालेंगे; क्योंकि इस समय ये दुर्योधनके हितमें तत्पर हैं
sañjaya uvāca | eṣa bhīṣmaḥ susaṃkruddho vārṣṇeya mama vāhinīm | nāśayiṣyati suvyaktaṃ duryodhana-hite rataḥ ||
Санджая сказал: «О Варшнея (Кришна), этот Бхишма яростно разгневан. Ясно, что, радея о благе Дурьодханы, он непременно уничтожит всё моё войско. Потому, о лучший из людей, пойдём туда, где стоит дед Бхишма».
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how formidable power, when aligned with loyalty to a chosen side, can become ethically complex: Bhīṣma’s devotion to Duryodhana’s cause (despite broader questions of righteousness) makes him a decisive force, showing the tension between personal vows/affiliations and the larger demands of dharma.
Sanjaya reports that Bhīṣma has become intensely angry and is poised to devastate the opposing host. Addressing Kṛṣṇa as Vārṣṇeya, he urges moving toward Bhīṣma’s position, warning that Bhīṣma—now actively committed to Duryodhana’s advantage—will otherwise destroy the army.