Shloka 115
Daiva–Puruṣakāra Discourse and the Elephant-Corps Engagement (भीमगजानीक-सम्भ्रान्ति)
भीष्मस्तु निहते तस्मिन् सारथौ रथिनां वर: । वातायमानैस्तैरश्वैरपनीतो रणाजिरात्,रथियोंमें श्रेष्ठ भीष्म सारथिके मारे जानेपर हवाके समान भागनेवाले घोड़ोंके द्वारा रणभूमिसे बाहर कर दिये गये
bhīṣmas tu nihate tasmin sārathau rathināṃ varaḥ | vātāyamānais tair aśvair apanīto raṇājirāt ||
جب وہ سارتھی مارا گیا تو رتھ یودھاؤں میں برتر بھیشم کو وہ گھوڑے—جو ہوا کی مانند دوڑ رہے تھے—میدانِ جنگ سے باہر لے گئے۔
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the dependence of even the mightiest warrior on supporting roles and conditions. The death of the charioteer becomes a decisive factor, showing that prowess alone does not guarantee control; in war, outcomes hinge on interconnected causes and sudden reversals.
Sañjaya reports that after Bhishma’s charioteer is killed, Bhishma is taken away from the fighting ground as the horses bolt wind-swift, effectively removing his chariot from the battlefield.