Shloka 666
भीष्मधनंजयद्वैरथम्
Bhīṣma–Dhanaṃjaya Duel and the Opening Clash
सधनु: सरथ: साथश्वः प्रवपन् सायकान् रणे । यह अत्यन्त अद्भुत युद्ध सम्पूर्ण लोकोंके लिये आश्चर्यजनक घटना है। भविष्यमें ऐसे युद्ध होनेकी किसी प्रकार भी सम्भावना नहीं है। बुद्धिमान पार्थ रणभूमिमें भीष्मको कदापि जीत नहीं सकते; क्योंकि वे समरभूमिमें रथ
sadhanuḥ sarathaḥ sāthaśvaḥ pravapan sāyakān raṇe |
Wika ni Sanjaya: Taglay ang busog, nakasakay sa karwahe kasama ang mga kabayo at mga kasama, sa gitna ng labanan ay pinauulan niya ng palaso ang digmaan na tila naghahasik ng binhi. Ang sagupaan na ito’y lubhang kahanga-hanga—isang pangyayaring ikinagugulat ng lahat ng daigdig. Sa mga panahong darating, halos walang pag-asang may digmaang tulad nito pang mauulit. Maging si Partha na marunong ay hindi kailanman makalalamang kay Bhishma sa larangan, sapagkat si Bhishma’y naroon, kasama ang karwahe, mga kabayo, at busog, na ikinakalat ang kanyang mga palaso na parang binhi sa bukirin ng digmaan.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage underscores the extraordinary, almost world-shaking nature of Bhīṣma’s martial prowess and the sense of inevitability that can surround dharma-bound conflict: even a wise hero like Arjuna may be unable to overcome an opponent whose strength, preparation, and destiny in that moment make him appear unconquerable.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Bhīṣma, fully equipped with bow, chariot, and horses, is unleashing a relentless storm of arrows on the battlefield—so remarkable that it seems unparalleled in past or future—and he declares that Arjuna cannot defeat Bhīṣma under these conditions.