Shloka 626
अभ्यधावत कौन्तेयं मिषतां सर्वधन्विनाम् । महाराज! तदनन्तर भीष्मने दिव्य अस्त्र प्रकट करते हुए वहाँ समस्त धनुर्धरोंके देखते- देखते कुन्तीकुमार अर्जुनपर धावा किया
abhya-dhāvat kaunteyaṃ miṣatāṃ sarva-dhanvinām | mahārāja! tad-anantaraṃ bhīṣmaḥ divyāstrāṇi prakaṭayan tatra samasta-dhanurdharāṇāṃ paśyatāṃ paśyatāṃ kuntī-kumāra arjunam prati dhāvāṃ cakāra |
सञ्जय उवाच—महाराज! सर्वधन्विनां पश्यतां सति भीष्मः कौन्तेयमभ्यधावत्। ततः स दिव्यान्यस्त्राणि प्रकटयन् सर्वधनुर्धराणां पुरतः कुन्तीसुतं अर्जुनं प्रति स्पष्टमेवाभ्यपतत्॥
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the public, accountable nature of kṣatriya warfare: a renowned elder-warrior (Bhīṣma) openly commits to a decisive engagement, displaying mastery of astras. Ethically, it underscores that power and skill are to be exercised in a visible, rule-bound arena—before witnesses—rather than through concealment or treachery.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Bhīṣma, in full view of the assembled archers, suddenly charges Arjuna. As he advances, he reveals/ploys celestial weapons, signaling an intensified phase of the battle focused on confronting Arjuna directly.