Shloka 11
Adhyāya 112: Bhīṣma-prati Arjunasya Pravṛttiḥ
Arjuna’s Forward Drive Toward Bhīṣma
न हि भीष्म महेष्वासं पाण्डवा: पाण्डुपूर्वज । अशवनुवन् रणे जेतुं पाशहस्तमिवान्तकम्
na hi bhīṣma maheṣvāsaṃ pāṇḍavāḥ pāṇḍupūrvaja | aśaknuvan raṇe jetuṃ pāśahastam ivāntakam ||
三阇耶说道：“持国王啊，般度的长兄，般度五子在战场上从未能战胜强弓的毗湿摩；他宛如死神亲临，手执绳索，无可抗拒。”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the moral and existential weight of war: some forces—embodied here by Bhīṣma’s unmatched prowess and the image of Death with a noose—appear inevitable. It highlights human limitation before destiny-like power, and the grave seriousness of entering a dharma-war where even the righteous may face seemingly unconquerable opponents.
Sañjaya reports to King Dhṛtarāṣṭra that the Pāṇḍavas could not defeat Bhīṣma in battle. He intensifies the description by likening Bhīṣma to Antaka (Death/Yama) holding the noose, conveying Bhīṣma’s terrifying effectiveness on the battlefield.