Shloka 20
Vāsudeva-Māhātmya: Duryodhana’s Inquiry and Bhīṣma’s Theological Account of Keśava
तत्र भीष्म: शान्तनवो नित्यं मण्डलकार्मुक: । मुमोच बाणान् दीप्ताग्रानहीनाशीविषानिव
tatra bhīṣmaḥ śāntanavo nityaṁ maṇḍalakārmukaḥ | mumoca bāṇān dīptāgrān ahīn āśīviṣān iva ||
तत्र भीष्मः शान्तनवो नित्यं मण्डलकार्मुकः । मुमोच बाणान् दीप्ताग्रान् अहीनाशीविषानिव ॥
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights disciplined martial excellence and the relentless momentum of war, reminding the listener that even dutiful action (kṣatriya-dharma) can carry fearsome consequences; ethical reflection arises from seeing duty executed with overwhelming power.
Sañjaya describes Bhīṣma on the battlefield continuously shooting blazing arrows in rapid, circular bow-sweeps, comparing the arrows’ terror to venomous snakes.