Shloka 96
Ulūpī’s Disclosure and the Saṃjīvana-Maṇi: Arjuna’s Restoration (उलूपी-प्रकटनं संजीवनमणि-स्थापनं च)
शिखण्डिना तु संयुक्तस्तमाश्रित्य हतस्त्वया । “वीर! आपने अपने साथ जूझते हुए भीष्मजीको नहीं मारा है, वे शिखण्डीके साथ उलझे हुए थे। उस दशामें शिखण्डीकी आड़ लेकर आपने उनका वध किया था
śikhaṇḍinā tu saṃyuktas tam āśritya hatas tvayā |
Sinabi ni Arjuna: “Sa pagkanlong mo sa likod ni Śikhaṇḍin—habang si Bhīṣma ay nakikipagsagupaan sa kaniya—doon mo siya tinamaan at napabagsak. O bayani, hindi mo tunay na napatay si Bhīṣma sa tuwirang labanan; sa sandaling iyon, ginamit mo si Śikhaṇḍin bilang panangga at doon mo siya pinabagsak.”
अर्जुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical tension between ideal kṣatriya warfare (direct, fair combat) and battlefield strategy. It frames Bhīṣma’s fall as enabled by reliance on Śikhaṇḍin, raising questions about responsibility, legitimacy of victory, and how dharma is negotiated under extreme circumstances.
Arjuna points out that Bhīṣma was not defeated in a straightforward duel; rather, while Bhīṣma was engaged with Śikhaṇḍin, Arjuna used Śikhaṇḍin as cover and shot the arrows that brought Bhīṣma down. The statement functions as a reminder/critique of the manner of Bhīṣma’s fall.