Shloka 31
Adhyāya 111 (Book 6): Daśama-dina-saṃgrāma—Bhīṣma’s Counsel to Yudhiṣṭhira and the Śikhaṇḍin-Led Advance
आत्तशस्त्रो रणे यत्नाद् वारयामास सायकै: । राजन! वे अस्त्र-शस्त्र लेकर पाण्डवपक्षके पाँच श्रेष्ठ महारथियोंका रफणक्षेत्रमें बाणोंद्वारा यत्नपूर्वक निवारण करने लगे ।।
āttaśastro raṇe yatnād vārayāmāsa sāyakaiḥ | rājan nānāśastrāstravarṣais tān vīryāmarṣapravīritaiḥ ||
Wika ni Sañjaya: O Hari, si Bhīṣma ay humawak ng sandata at sa larangan ng digmaan ay buong sikap na nagsikap pigilan sila sa pamamagitan ng sunod-sunod na ulang palaso. Hinimok ng tapang at nag-aalab na poot, pinaulanan niya sila ng sari-saring sandata at mga pana upang supilin ang mga mandirigmang iyon.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣatriya ethic of disciplined exertion in war: one must act with determined effort (yatna) to restrain an advancing foe, even when driven by intense emotions like amarṣa (indignation). It implicitly contrasts duty-bound control (vāraṇa—checking) with uncontrolled rage, showing how force is framed as purposeful and strategic rather than merely violent.
Sañjaya reports to King Dhṛtarāṣṭra that a warrior, having taken up weapons, is attempting to hold back opposing fighters on the battlefield by shooting arrows and unleashing varied weapons and missiles, propelled by valor and anger.