Shloka 29
हनिष्यामि रणे भीष्ममाहूय पुरुषर्षभम् । पश्यतां धार्तराष्ट्राणां यदि नेच्छति फाल्गुन:,“यदि अर्जुन भीष्मको मारना नहीं चाहते हैं तो मैं युद्धमें पुरुषप्रवर भीष्मको ललकारकर धृतराष्ट्रपुत्रोंके देखते-देखते मार डालूँगा
haniṣyāmi raṇe bhīṣmam āhūya puruṣarṣabham | paśyatāṃ dhārtarāṣṭrāṇāṃ yadi necchati phālgunaḥ ||
Sinabi ni Sañjaya: “Kung ayaw gawin ni Phālguna (Arjuna), hahamunin ko si Bhīṣma—ang toro sa hanay ng mga lalaki—sa larangan ng digmaan at papatayin ko siya sa mismong harap ng mga anak ni Dhṛtarāṣṭra.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the tension between reverence for an elder and the perceived necessity of fulfilling martial duty. It frames decisive action and personal accountability in war as a form of kṣatriya resolve, even when the opponent is a highly honored figure like Bhīṣma.
Sañjaya reports a vow-like declaration: if Arjuna hesitates to strike Bhīṣma, the speaker will personally challenge Bhīṣma in open combat and kill him in full view of the Kauravas (Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s sons), emphasizing a dramatic, public assertion of courage.