Shloka 22

भीष्मेण तु रणे पार्था: पालिता बाहुशालिना

bhīṣmeṇa tu raṇe pārthāḥ pālitā bāhuśālinā

सञ्जय उवाच—भीष्मेण तु रणे पार्थाः पालिता बाहुशालिना; एकस्य महावीरस्य रक्षणेनैव युद्धगतिर्नियतिमिव प्राप्नोत्।

भीष्मेणby Bhishma
भीष्मेण:
Karana
TypeNoun
Rootभीष्म
FormMasculine, Instrumental, Singular
तुbut/indeed
तु:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootतु
रणेin battle
रणे:
Adhikarana
TypeNoun
Rootरण
FormMasculine, Locative, Singular
पार्थाःthe sons of Pritha (the Pandavas)
पार्थाः:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootपार्थ
FormMasculine, Nominative, Plural
पालिताःprotected/guarded
पालिताः:
TypeVerb
Rootपालित
FormMasculine, Nominative, Plural
बाहुशालिनाby the strong-armed one
बाहुशालिना:
Karana
TypeAdjective
Rootबाहुशालिन्
FormMasculine, Instrumental, Singular

संजय उवाच

S
Sañjaya
B
Bhīṣma
P
Pārthas (Pāṇḍavas)

Educational Q&A

Even amid violent conflict, the presence of a powerful protector can limit harm and shape outcomes; the verse highlights the dharmic tension between martial loyalty and the responsibility to safeguard life where possible.

Sañjaya reports that during the fighting, Bhīṣma—renowned for strength and battlefield mastery—served as a protective force for the Pāṇḍavas, implying that his conduct and positioning in the battle affected their safety.