Shloka 29
Bhīṣma-nipāta-saṃvāda — Sañjaya’s Report of Bhīṣma’s Fall (भीष्मनिपातसंवादः)
इष्वस्त्रसागरं घोरं बाणग्राहं दुरासदम् । कार्मुकोर्मिणमक्षय्यमद्वीपं चलमप्लवम्,उनका धनुष-बाण आदि अस्त्रसमूह भयंकर एवं दुर्गम समुद्रके समान था, बाण ही उसमें ग्राह थे, धनुष लहरोंके समान जान पड़ता था, वह अक्षय, द्वीपरहित, चंचल तथा नौका आदि तैरनेके साधनोंसे शून्य था
iṣv-astra-sāgaraṁ ghoraṁ bāṇa-grāhaṁ durāsadam | kārmuk-ūrmiṇam akṣayyam advīpaṁ calam aplavam ||
Wika ni Dhṛtarāṣṭra: “Ang kakila-kilabot na bunton ng mga palaso at sandata ay parang dagat na mahirap tawirin: ang mga palaso ang mga buwaya nito, at ang mga pana’y wari’y mga alon na humahampas. Tila di nauubos—walang pulong masisilungan, di mapakali ang pag-alon, at walang bangka o anumang paraan upang makatawid.”
धृतराष्ट उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse uses an ocean-simile to convey that warfare becomes a vast, unstable, and perilous realm: dangers multiply (arrows as ‘crocodiles’), the onslaught feels inexhaustible, and there is no secure refuge or easy passage. Ethically, it highlights the loss of safety and moral footing once violence dominates.
Dhṛtarāṣṭra is hearing about the battle and describes the terrifying barrage of missiles and weapons. He portrays the combat-zone as an unfordable ocean—full of threats and without any ‘boat’—emphasizing the overwhelming intensity of the fighting.