Shloka 11
Chapter 89: Bhīma dispatched to protect Ghaṭotkaca amid escalating engagements
त॑ तु छित्त्वा रणे भीष्मो नाराचं कालसम्मितम् | निजघ्ने कौरवेन्द्रस्य हयान् काड्चनभूषणान्
taṁ tu chittvā raṇe bhīṣmo nārācaṁ kāla-sammitam | nijaghne kauravendrasya hayān kāñcana-bhūṣaṇān ||
پھر بھیشم نے میدانِ جنگ میں اس ناراج تیر کو، جو کال کے مانند ہولناک تھا، کاٹ ڈالا اور کوروَندر یُدھِشٹھِر کے سونے کے زیورات سے آراستہ گھوڑوں کو مار گرایا۔
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the harsh logic of kṣatriya-dharma in war: duty and allegiance can compel even venerable figures like Bhīṣma to use decisive, disabling force. It also evokes Kāla (Time/Death) to stress the inevitability and terror of battle’s consequences.
Bhīṣma, fighting on the Kaurava side, cuts down a deadly nārāca arrow and then kills the horses of the Kuru king identified here with Yudhiṣṭhira—an act aimed at crippling the opponent’s chariot mobility and combat effectiveness.