Shloka 36
भीष्मस्य शरशय्या-प्राप्तिः
Bhīṣma’s Fall to the Arrow-Bed
तत्र तौ नरशार्दूलौ भीष्महेतो: परंतपौ | अन्योन्यं जध्नतुर्वीरो गोष्ठे गोवृषभाविव
tatra tau naraśārdūlau bhīṣma-hetoḥ parantapau | anyonyaṃ jadhnatuḥ vīrau goṣṭhe govṛṣabhāv iva ||
三阇耶说道：在那里，那两位如虎之雄——皆为敌军之苦厄——为护毗湿摩而战，彼此施以致命重击，宛如牛栏中两头公牛相斗。此景昭示：对统帅的忠诚与阵营之责，足以驱使骨肉亲族在战场上无情相残。
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the tragic ethical tension of war: even noble, ‘lion-like’ kinsmen may become mutually destructive when bound by allegiance and battlefield duty. Loyalty to a leader (here, Bhīṣma) can intensify conflict, showing how dharma in war often operates through competing obligations rather than simple moral clarity.
Sañjaya describes Vikarṇa and Nakula engaging in fierce, reciprocal attacks in the midst of battle, motivated by the need to defend/support Bhīṣma. Their combat is compared to two bulls fighting in a cattle-yard, emphasizing raw force and relentless rivalry.