Shloka 26
भीष्मस्य शरशय्या-प्राप्तिः
Bhīṣma’s Fall to the Arrow-Bed
अश्वत्थामा ततस्तौ तु विव्याध बहुभि: शरै: । विराटद्रुपदौ वीरौ भीष्म प्रति समुझतौ
sañjaya uvāca |
aśvatthāmā tatastau tu vivyādha bahubhiḥ śaraiḥ |
virāṭa-drupadau vīrau bhīṣmaṃ prati samudyatau ||
三阇耶说道：随后，阿湿婆他摩以无数箭矢贯穿那两位英雄——毗罗吒与德鲁帕达。勇武的毗罗吒王与德鲁帕达王一心要逼近毗湿摩，奋力向前推进；然而就在他们挥击奋战、力图达成所愿之际，却反被阿湿婆他摩的反击所中，当场受创而倒。此景彰显战阵中冷酷的相互报应：纵有正义之志与王者之勇，也立刻要承受兵刃对抗带来的后果。
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the immediacy of consequence in righteous warfare: valor and intent (even against a formidable elder like Bhīṣma) must contend with equal and opposite force. It reflects kṣatriya-dharma in practice—courage, initiative, and the acceptance that one’s actions in battle invite swift retaliation.
Sañjaya reports that Virāṭa and Drupada are advancing with the aim of confronting (and effectively seeking the fall of) Bhīṣma. Aśvatthāmā counters them, piercing both kings with many arrows, checking their advance through superior archery.