Shloka 12
Bhīṣma-nipāta-saṃvāda — Sañjaya’s Report of Bhīṣma’s Fall (भीष्मनिपातसंवादः)
जो शत्रुपक्षकी सेनाओंका निरन्तर उच्छेद करते थे, बाण ही जिनकी दाढ़ें थीं, धनुष ही खुला हुआ मुख था, तलवार ही जिनकी जिह्ला थी, उन भयंकर एवं दुर्धर्ष पुरुषसिंह भीष्मको कुन्तीनन्दन अर्जुनने युद्धमें कैसे मार गिराया? मनस्वी भीष्म इस प्रकार पराजयके योग्य नहीं थे। वे ललज्जाशील और पराजय-शून्य थे ।।
dhṛtarāṣṭra uvāca | yo śatrupakṣakī senānāṃ nirantaraṃ ucchedaṃ kurvanti sma, bāṇā eva yasya dāḍhāḥ, dhanuṣy eva vivṛtaṃ mukhaṃ, asiḥ eva yasya jihvā, tān bhīṣaṇān durdharṣān puruṣasiṃhān bhīṣmaṃ kuntīnandana arjunaḥ yuddhe kathaṃ mārayām āsa? manasvī bhīṣma evaṃ parājayāya na yogyāḥ; sa lajjāśīlaḥ parājayaśūnyaś ca || ugradhanvānam ugraṣūṃ vartamānaṃ rathottame | pareṣām uttamāṅgāni pracinvantam ath eṣubhiḥ ||
持国王说道：“昆蒂之子阿周那如何能在战场上击倒那位可怖而不可当的人中雄狮——毗湿摩？他不断剪灭敌军；其箭如獠牙，其弓如张开的巨口，其剑如舌。心志高迈的毗湿摩本不该如此被败；他行止谦谨，从未尝过败北。他立于上等战车之上，执骇人的强弓与凶猛的利箭，以矢锋斩落敌首，堆积如山。”
धृतराष्ट उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the fragility of worldly power: even the most formidable warrior, seemingly ‘unconquerable,’ can fall when circumstances, strategy, and dharma’s complex workings converge. It also highlights the ethical tension of war—admiration for valor alongside shock at the downfall of a revered elder.
Dhṛtarāṣṭra, hearing of events on the battlefield, expresses astonishment and disbelief that Arjuna could bring down Bhīṣma. He describes Bhīṣma’s terrifying prowess—cutting down enemies from an excellent chariot with fierce bow and arrows—and insists that such a noble, undefeated warrior seems unfit for defeat.