Shloka 103
अजुन उवाच शिखण्डी निधन कृष्ण भीष्मस्य भविता ध्रुवम् । दृष्टवैव हि सदा भीष्म: पाज्चाल्यं विनिवर्तते
arjuna uvāca | śikhaṇḍī nidhanaṃ kṛṣṇa bhīṣmasya bhavitā dhruvam | dṛṣṭvaiva hi sadā bhīṣmaḥ pāñcālyaṃ vinivartate ||
Sinabi ni Arjuna: “O Kṛṣṇa, tiyak na si Śikhaṇḍī ang magiging sanhi ng pagbagsak ni Bhīṣma. Sapagkat si Bhīṣma, sa sandaling makita lamang ang mandirigmang Pāñcāla, ay laging tumatalikod—tumatangging makipaglaban.”
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how adherence to a warrior’s ethical restraint (Bhīṣma’s refusal to fight Śikhaṇḍī) can decisively shape outcomes in war. Dharma is not merely an ideal; it has practical consequences—sometimes creating vulnerabilities that strategy can exploit.
Arjuna tells Kṛṣṇa that Śikhaṇḍī will certainly be the instrument of Bhīṣma’s downfall, because Bhīṣma withdraws whenever he sees the Pāñcāla warrior. This sets up the tactical plan to place Śikhaṇḍī in front so Bhīṣma will not counterattack effectively.