Shloka 34
गौरुडव्यूह-रचना तथा अर्धचन्द्र-प्रत्यव्यूह
Garuḍa Array and the Ardhacandra Counter-Formation
एकस्तस्थौ नरव्याप्रो गिरिमेंरुरिवाचल: । उस महान् संग्राममें हमलोगोंके लिये कातरताका समय आ गया था, तो भी अकेले नरश्रेष्ठ भीष्म ही दीनतासे रहित हो मेरुपर्वतकी भाँति वहाँ अविचलभावसे खड़े रहे ।।
ekas tasthau naravyāghro girimerur ivācalaḥ | ādādāna iva prāṇān savitā śiśirātyaye, jighāṃsantaṃ yudhāṃ śreṣṭhaṃ tadā āsīt tumulaṃ mahat ||
Wika ni Sañjaya: “O Hari, sa dakilang labanan, nang dumating ang sandali ng sindak sa aming panig, si Bhīṣma lamang—pinakamainam sa mga tao—ang nanatiling di matinag, gaya ng Bundok Meru, at walang bahid ng panghihina ng loob. Pagkaraan, na wari’y ang araw sa pagtatapos ng taglamig ay humihigop ng mismong hininga ng buhay, sumiklab ang isang napakalawak at magulong sagupaan: ang mga mandirigmang Pāṇḍava, inilagay si Śikhaṇḍin sa unahan at sumulong upang ipakita ang lakas, ay dumagsa kay Bhīṣma—ang pangunahin sa mga mandirigma—na may hangaring ibagsak siya, upang ipagtanggol ang magiting na si Śveta.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage highlights kṣatriya-dharma expressed as steadiness under crisis: Bhīṣma embodies unwavering resolve even when his own side falters. It also frames the ethical tension of war—strategy and necessity (placing Śikhaṇḍin forward) intersect with personal vows and vulnerabilities, showing how dharma in battle is tested by circumstance.
Sañjaya reports that, despite panic among the Kauravas, Bhīṣma stands firm like Mount Meru. The Pāṇḍava warriors advance with Śikhaṇḍin positioned in front and surge against Bhīṣma, seeking to strike him down while protecting the hero Śveta, and a fierce, chaotic battle erupts.