Shloka 15
भीष्मधनंजयद्वैरथम्
Bhīṣma–Dhanaṃjaya Duel and the Opening Clash
पजञ्चालान् निहनिष्यन्ति रक्षिता दृढ्धन्वना । सो<हं भीष्म वधिष्यामि सैन्यहेतोर्जनार्दन
sañjaya uvāca | pañcālān nihaniṣyanti rakṣitā dṛḍha-dhanvanā | so ’haṃ bhīṣmaṃ vadhiṣyāmi sainya-hetoḥ janārdana ||
Sinabi ni Sañjaya: “Sa ilalim ng pag-iingat ng makapangyarihang mamamana, papatayin nila ang mga Pañcāla. Kaya, alang-alang sa pag-iingat sa hukbo, aking idudulot ang kamatayan ni Bhīṣma, O Janārdana.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames a hard ethical choice in war: when a single, overwhelmingly powerful protector enables large-scale destruction, leaders may feel compelled to neutralize that protector for the greater protection of their forces. It highlights kṣatriya-duty logic—prioritizing the safety of one’s army and allies—even when it entails confronting a revered elder like Bhīṣma.
Sanjaya reports a resolve addressed to Kṛṣṇa (Janārdana): the Pañcālas are in danger of being slaughtered under the protection of a formidable archer (understood as Bhīṣma). Therefore, the speaker declares an intention to bring about Bhīṣma’s death for the sake of protecting the army.