Shloka 33
Virāṭa’s Conciliation and Uttara’s Account of the Unseen Champion
Bṛhannadā/Arjuna
पाण्डवेन हता: शूरा भीष्मस्य रथरक्षिण: । शेरते सम तदा राजन् कौन्तेयस्याभितो रथम्,राजन! भीष्मके रथकी रक्षा करनेवाले शूरवीर सैनिक अर्जुनके द्वारा मारे जाकर उनके रथके दोनों ओर पड़े थे
pāṇḍavena hatāḥ śūrā bhīṣmasya ratharakṣiṇaḥ | śerate sma tadā rājan kaunteyasyābhito ratham ||
Sinabi ni Vaiśampāyana: O Hari, ang matatapang na mandirigmang nagbabantay sa karwaheng pandigma ni Bhīṣma ay pinaslang ng Pāṇḍava (Arjuna). Noon, sila’y nakahandusay at nagkalat sa paligid ng karwahe ng anak ni Kuntī—larawang nagpapakita na ang tungkuling pangmandirigma at katapatan, kapag nakagapos sa adhikaing itinakdang mapahamak, ay nagwawakas sa harap ng higit na husay at matatag na pasya sa labanan.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the stark outcome of warfare: even brave and dutiful protectors fall when confronted by superior prowess and circumstance. It underscores the tension between loyalty to one’s commander and the inexorable consequences of battle.
Vaiśampāyana narrates to King Janamejaya that Arjuna has slain the warriors guarding Bhīṣma’s chariot, and their bodies lie scattered around Arjuna’s chariot, marking Arjuna’s dominance in that encounter.