Shloka 35
Adhyāya 112: Bhīṣma-prati Arjunasya Pravṛttiḥ
Arjuna’s Forward Drive Toward Bhīṣma
पूर्णे शतसहस्रे द्वे पादातानां नरोत्तम: | प्रजज्वाल रणे भीष्मो विधूम इव पावक:,महाराज! सवारोंसहित दस हजार वेगशाली हाथियों, उतने ही घोड़ों और घुड़सवारों तथा दो लाख पैदल सैनिकोंको नरश्रेष्ठ भीष्मने रणभूमिमें धूमरहित अग्निकी भाँति फूँक डाला
pūrṇe śatasahasre dve pādātānāṃ narottamaḥ | prajajvāla raṇe bhīṣmo vidhūma iva pāvakaḥ ||
Wika ni Sañjaya: O Hari, nang maihanay na ang dalawang daang libong kawal na lakad, si Bhīṣma—ang pinakamainam sa mga tao—ay nagningas sa labanan na parang apoy na walang usok, nilalamon ang hukbo ng kaaway.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse uses the image of “smokeless fire” to portray focused, unobstructed martial power. Ethically, it highlights the terrible efficiency of war: even when performed as kṣatriya-duty, battle consumes lives swiftly, reminding the listener (Dhṛtarāṣṭra) of the grave consequences of choosing conflict.
Sañjaya reports to the king that Bhīṣma, amid a vast infantry force numbering two hundred thousand, erupts in combat brilliance and destructive force, likened to a clear, smokeless fire that burns through opponents on the battlefield.