Shloka 95
Vāsudeva-Māhātmya: Duryodhana’s Inquiry and Bhīṣma’s Theological Account of Keśava
तमाद्रवन्तं प्रगृहीतचक्रं दृष्टवा देवं शान्तनवस्तदानीम् | असम्भ्रमं तद् विचकर्ष दोर्भ्या महाभनुर्गाण्डिवतुल्यघोषम्,भगवानको चक्र लिये अपनी ओर वेगपूर्वक आते देख शान्तनुनन्दन भीष्म उस समय तनिक भी भय अथवा घबराहटका अनुभव न करते हुए दोनों हाथोंसे गाण्डीव धनुषके समान गम्भीर घोष करनेवाले अपने महान् धनुषको खींचने लगे
tam ādravantaṃ pragṛhītacakraṃ dṛṣṭvā devaṃ śāntanavas tadānīm | asambhramaṃ tad vicakarṣa dorbhyā mahādhanuḥ gāṇḍīvatulyaghoṣam ||
Sañjaya nói: Thấy đấng thần linh lao đến phía mình, tay giơ đĩa thần, Bhīṣma—con của Śāntanu—khi ấy không hề sợ hãi hay bối rối. Ông điềm nhiên dùng cả hai tay kéo căng cây cung lớn của mình, phát tiếng trầm vang như Gāṇḍīva.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights steadiness under threat: even when confronted by a seemingly overwhelming, divinely charged attack, Bhīṣma remains asambhrama—unshaken—and responds according to his warrior duty. Ethically, it underscores composure, resolve, and adherence to one’s svadharma amid crisis.
Kṛṣṇa, described as ‘the divine one,’ rushes toward Bhīṣma with the discus raised. Bhīṣma, Śāntanu’s son, sees this charge and, without fear or confusion, draws his great bow—its sound likened to Arjuna’s famed Gāṇḍīva—preparing to meet the oncoming strike.