भीष्मधनंजयद्वैरथम्
Bhīṣma–Dhanaṃjaya Duel and the Opening Clash
शीर्यमाणान्यदृश्यन्त भिन्नान्यर्जुनसायकै: । भीष्मके धनुषसे छूटे हुए सायकोंके समूह अर्जुनके बाणोंसे छिन्न-भिन्न होकर इधर- उधर बिखरे दिखायी देने लगे
sañjaya uvāca | śīryamāṇāny adṛśyanta bhinnāny arjunasāyakaiḥ |
शीर्यमाणान्यदृश्यन्त भिन्नान्यर्जुनसायकैः । भीष्मधनुषो मुक्ताः सायकसमूहा अर्जुनशरैश्छिन्नभिन्ना इतोऽन्यतो विकीर्णा दृश्यन्ते स्म ।
संजय उवाच
Even amid violence, the epic highlights disciplined action aligned with one’s role (kṣatriya-dharma): Arjuna’s precision symbolizes controlled power used in service of duty rather than uncontrolled aggression.
Sanjaya describes a battlefield moment where the arrows shot from Bhishma’s bow are intercepted and cut apart by Arjuna’s arrows, visibly scattering as fragments—showing Arjuna’s superior timing and marksmanship in that exchange.