Shloka 71
Bhīṣma-nipāta-saṃvāda — Sañjaya’s Report of Bhīṣma’s Fall (भीष्मनिपातसंवादः)
शरशक्तिमहाखड्गतोमराक्षां महाभयाम् | प्राविशन् कितवा मन्दा: सभां युद्धदुरासदाम्
dhṛtarāṣṭra uvāca | śaraśakti-mahākhaḍga-tomara-ṛkṣāṃ mahābhayām | prāviśan kitavā mandāḥ sabhāṃ yuddha-durāsadām ||
Wika ni Dhṛtarāṣṭra: “Ang mga hangal na sugarol ay pumasok sa dakilang bulwagang yaon—nakapanghihilakbot dahil sa mga palaso, sibat, malalaking tabak, mga tomara, at mga oso—isang bulwagang mahirap lusubin sa digmaan.”
धृतराष्ट उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames the entrants as “kitava” (gamblers) and “mandāḥ” (foolish), suggesting ethical censure: reckless, deceit-associated impulses lead one into spaces of danger and violence. It hints at how moral weakness (addiction to gambling, poor judgment) can precipitate catastrophic conflict.
Dhṛtarāṣṭra describes certain men entering a formidable hall/arena characterized by weapons and fear, difficult to storm in battle. The imagery emphasizes a transition from courtly space to a warlike, perilous setting, underscoring the escalation toward armed confrontation.