Shloka 14
Chapter 89: Bhīma dispatched to protect Ghaṭotkaca amid escalating engagements
तौ तु दृष्टवा महाराज भीष्मबाणप्रपीडितौ । जगाम परमां चिन्तां भीष्मस्य वधकाडुक्षया
sañjaya uvāca | tau tu dṛṣṭvā mahārāja bhīṣmabāṇaprapīḍitau | jagāma paramāṃ cintāṃ bhīṣmasya vadhakāṅkṣayā ||
اے مہاراج! بھیشم کے تیروں سے نکول اور سہ دیو کو سخت اذیت میں مبتلا دیکھ کر یدھشٹھِر بھیشم کے وध کی خواہش لیے گہری فکر و اضطراب میں ڈوب گیا اور سنجیدگی سے تدبیر کرنے لگا۔
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical pressure of righteous warfare: compassion for suffering kin and the duty to protect one’s side can push even a dharmic leader into grave deliberation about harming a revered elder. It frames strategy as inseparable from moral consequence.
Bhishma’s fierce archery has badly afflicted Nakula and Sahadeva. Observing this, Yudhishthira becomes deeply troubled and begins intense reflection, motivated by the wish to neutralize or bring about the fall of Bhishma, whose presence is decisive on the battlefield.