Shloka 45
Virāṭa’s Conciliation and Uttara’s Account of the Unseen Champion
Bṛhannadā/Arjuna
ततः: शान्तनवो भीष्मो वाम॑ पार्श्रमताडयत् । पश्यत: प्रतिसंधाय विध्यत: सव्यसाचिन:,तदनन्तर शान्तनुनन्दन भीष्मने (कौरवसेनाको) घायल करनेवाले सव्यसाची अर्जुनके देखते-देखते बाणसंधान करके उनका बायाँ पार्श्व बींध डाला
tataḥ śāntanavo bhīṣmo vāmaṃ pārśvam atāḍayat | paśyataḥ pratisaṃdhāya vidhyataḥ savyasācinaḥ ||
Sinabi ni Vaiśampāyana: Pagkaraan nito, si Bhīṣma, anak ni Śāntanu, ay maingat na tumutok at bumaril nang tumpak, tinamaan si Arjuna sa kaliwang tagiliran—sa harap mismo ng kanyang mga mata. Ipinapakita nito ang mabagsik na etika ng digmaan: kahit ang pinakadakilang mandirigma, nakatali sa piniling panig at sa tungkuling kṣatriya, ay gumagamit ng ganap na husay upang sugatan ang karapat-dapat na kalaban nang walang pag-aatubili.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣatriya code in its stark form: mastery, resolve, and unwavering execution of one’s chosen duty in battle. It also points to the moral tension of war—greatness in skill can serve opposing loyalties, and righteousness is tested amid violence rather than displayed only in peace.
Bhīṣma, identified as Śāntanu’s son, takes aim and shoots so as to strike Arjuna (called Savyasācin) on the left side, doing so openly and decisively in Arjuna’s presence.