Shloka 24
अविध्यद् दशभिर्भ॑ष्म॑ छिन्नधन्वानमाहवे । सारथिं दशभिश्चास्य ध्वजं चैकेन चिच्छिदे
sañjaya uvāca | avidhyad daśabhir bhīṣmaṃ chinnadhanvān amāhave | sārathiṃ daśabhiś cāsya dhvajaṃ caikena cicchide |
三阇耶说道：战场上，尸佉ṇḍin趁毗湿摩之弓已被斩断，以十箭射中毗湿摩；又以十箭贯穿其御者，并以一箭削断战旗。此景凸显战争冷酷的机括：一旦武士失其兵器，厮杀便化作护卫与脆弱、权衡与破绽的较量——纵然对手是如毗湿摩这般可敬的长者，也难逃其势。
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical tension in warfare: tactical efficiency can override reverence for age and status. It reflects the kṣatriya world where victory depends on exploiting openings (such as a disarmed opponent), while the broader epic invites reflection on the moral cost of such necessity.
Sañjaya reports that Śikhaṇḍin, taking advantage of Bhīṣma’s bow being cut, shoots Bhīṣma with ten arrows, wounds his charioteer with ten more, and then cuts down Bhīṣma’s banner with a single arrow—intensifying the pressure on Bhīṣma in the ongoing battle.