Shloka 666
भीष्मधनंजयद्वैरथम्
Bhīṣma–Dhanaṃjaya Duel and the Opening Clash
सधनु: सरथ: साथश्वः प्रवपन् सायकान् रणे । यह अत्यन्त अद्भुत युद्ध सम्पूर्ण लोकोंके लिये आश्चर्यजनक घटना है। भविष्यमें ऐसे युद्ध होनेकी किसी प्रकार भी सम्भावना नहीं है। बुद्धिमान पार्थ रणभूमिमें भीष्मको कदापि जीत नहीं सकते; क्योंकि वे समरभूमिमें रथ
sadhanuḥ sarathaḥ sāthaśvaḥ pravapan sāyakān raṇe |
三阇耶说道：他执弓在手，立于战车之上，马匹与随从俱全，于战阵之中倾洒箭矢，宛如播种。此战奇绝无比——令诸世界皆为之惊叹。来世之中，几无可能再现如此交锋。纵使睿智的帕尔塔也终不能在战场上战胜毗湿摩；因为毗湿摩就那样驾车临阵，马与弓俱在，将箭簇如种子般撒遍战争之田。
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage underscores the extraordinary, almost world-shaking nature of Bhīṣma’s martial prowess and the sense of inevitability that can surround dharma-bound conflict: even a wise hero like Arjuna may be unable to overcome an opponent whose strength, preparation, and destiny in that moment make him appear unconquerable.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Bhīṣma, fully equipped with bow, chariot, and horses, is unleashing a relentless storm of arrows on the battlefield—so remarkable that it seems unparalleled in past or future—and he declares that Arjuna cannot defeat Bhīṣma under these conditions.