Shloka 24
अविध्यद् दशभिर्भ॑ष्म॑ छिन्नधन्वानमाहवे । सारथिं दशभिश्चास्य ध्वजं चैकेन चिच्छिदे
sañjaya uvāca | avidhyad daśabhir bhīṣmaṃ chinnadhanvān amāhave | sārathiṃ daśabhiś cāsya dhvajaṃ caikena cicchide |
Sinabi ni Sañjaya: Sa labanan, tinamaan ni Śikhaṇḍin si Bhīṣma—na ang busog ay naputol na—ng sampung palaso. Tinusok din niya ng sampung palaso ang tagapagpatakbo ng karwahe ni Bhīṣma, at sa iisang palaso ay pinutol niya ang watawat. Ipinakikita ng tagpong ito ang walang-awang galaw ng digmaan: kapag ang mandirigma ay naalisan ng sandata, ang labanan ay nagiging tunggalian ng pag-iingat at kahinaan, ng bentahe at pagkakalantad—kahit laban sa kagalang-galang na nakatatanda gaya ni Bhīṣma.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical tension in warfare: tactical efficiency can override reverence for age and status. It reflects the kṣatriya world where victory depends on exploiting openings (such as a disarmed opponent), while the broader epic invites reflection on the moral cost of such necessity.
Sañjaya reports that Śikhaṇḍin, taking advantage of Bhīṣma’s bow being cut, shoots Bhīṣma with ten arrows, wounds his charioteer with ten more, and then cuts down Bhīṣma’s banner with a single arrow—intensifying the pressure on Bhīṣma in the ongoing battle.