Shloka 17
आशा-कृशता उपाख्यानम्
The Episode on the Emaciation Caused by Hope
तस्य मर्मच्छिदं घोरं तीक्ष्णं चामित्रकर्शन: । समादाय शरं श्रेष्ठ कार्मुके तु तथासृजत्
tasya marma-cchidaṃ ghoraṃ tīkṣṇaṃ cāmitra-karśanaḥ | samādāya śaraṃ śreṣṭhaṃ kārmuke tu tathāsṛjat ||
Bhīṣma nói: Rồi bậc khuất phục kẻ thù ấy cầm lấy một mũi tên đáng sợ, sắc như lưỡi dao—mũi tên có thể xuyên trúng những yếu huyệt—và phóng mũi tên tuyệt hảo ấy khỏi cây cung.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the lethal intentionality of combat—targeting ‘marma’ (vital points). Ethically, it serves as a sober reminder that choosing violence entails deliberate harm and often intensifies conflict, demanding restraint and responsibility in any exercise of power.
A warrior described as ‘amitra-karśana’ (enemy-subduer) takes an exceptionally sharp, fearsome arrow designed to pierce vital points and releases it from his bow, indicating an imminent, decisive strike in battle.