Shloka 9
भीष्मरथाभिमुख्यं — Arjuna’s advance with Śikhaṇḍin; Duḥśāsana’s interception
द्रुपद: पञचविंशत्या विराटो दशभि: शरै: । शिखण्डी पज्चविंशत्या भीष्मं विव्याध सायकै:,द्रपदने पचीस, विराटने दस और शिखण्डीने पचीस सायकोंद्वारा भीष्मको घायल कर दिया
sañjaya uvāca | drupadaḥ pañcaviṃśatyā virāṭo daśabhiḥ śaraiḥ | śikhaṇḍī pañcaviṃśatyā bhīṣmaṃ vivyādha sāyakaiḥ ||
द्रुपदः पञ्चविंशत्या विराटो दशभिः शरैः । शिखण्डी पञ्चविंशत्या भीष्मं विव्याध सायकैः ॥
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even the most venerable figures are subject to the impersonal force of dharma-driven conflict: in war, duty and strategy can compel attacks upon elders, highlighting the tension between reverence and kṣatriya obligation.
Sañjaya reports that Drupada, Virāṭa, and Śikhaṇḍī simultaneously strike Bhīṣma with specified numbers of arrows, intensifying the assault that contributes to Bhīṣma’s eventual downfall.