Shloka 54
ततस्तस्य च तेषां च युद्धे देवासुरोपमे । किरीटी भीष्ममागच्छत् पुरस्कृत्य शिखण्डिनम्
tatas tasya ca teṣāṁ ca yuddhe devāsuropame | kirīṭī bhīṣmam āgacchat puraskṛtya śikhaṇḍinam ||
அதன்பின் பீஷ்மனுக்கும் அந்த வீரர்களுக்கும் தேவர்-அசுரப் போரை ஒத்த கொடிய யுத்தம் நிகழ்ந்தது. அச்சமயம் கிரீடம் தரித்த அர்ஜுனன் சிகண்டியை முன்னிறுத்தி பீஷ்மனை அணுகினான்.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in war, action is constrained by dharma-like commitments and personal vows; strategy often exploits acknowledged ethical limits (here, Bhishma’s reluctance to fight Shikhandi), showing how moral reputation can shape outcomes as much as force.
Sanjaya describes the battle becoming as fierce as a gods-versus-demons war. At that moment Arjuna advances toward Bhishma, deliberately placing Shikhandi at the front, a tactical move aimed at neutralizing Bhishma’s resistance and enabling Arjuna to press the attack.