Shloka 44
भीष्मस्य शरशय्या-प्राप्तिः
Bhīṣma’s Fall to the Arrow-Bed
अन्योन्यातिशये युक्त यथा वृत्रमहेन्द्रयो: । उस समय भीष्मजीके निमित्त उस महान संग्राममें वृत्रासुर और इन्द्रके समान उन दोनों वीरोंका घोर युद्ध होने लगा, जिसमें वे एक-दूसरेसे आगे बढ़ जानेके प्रयत्नमें लगे थे ।। ४३ क्र भीमसेनं तथा<<यान्तं भीष्म प्रति महारथम्
anyonyātiśaye yukta yathā vṛtramahendrayoḥ |
अन्योन्यातिशये युक्तौ यथा वृत्रमहेन्द्रयोः । तयोर्द्वयोर्महायुद्धं समभूत्तत्र दारुणम् ॥
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣatriya ideal of competitive valor: warriors seek excellence and superiority in battle, and epic narration frames such rivalry through mythic exemplars (Indra vs. Vṛtra) to convey the magnitude and intensity of the conflict.
Sañjaya describes two opposing champions locked in a terrifying duel, each trying to outmatch the other; the struggle is compared to the legendary combat between Indra and Vṛtra to emphasize its ferocity and grandeur.