Shloka 109
Vāsudeva-Māhātmya: Duryodhana’s Inquiry and Bhīṣma’s Theological Account of Keśava
त॑ कौरवाणामधिपो जवेन भीष्मेण भूरिश्रवसा च सार्धथम् | अभ्युद्ययावुद्यतबाणपाणि: कक्ष दिधक्षन्निव धूमकेतु:
tataḥ kauravāṇām adhipo javena bhīṣmeṇa bhūriśravasā ca sārdham | abhyudyayāv udyatabāṇapāṇiḥ kakṣaṃ didhakṣann iva dhūmaketuḥ ||
三阇耶说道：这时，俱卢之主难敌手执举箭，迅疾逼近阿周那；毗湿摩与部利湿罗婆亦随行相助——宛如烈焰火炬猛然前冲，仿佛要将整片灌木丛尽数焚尽。
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how a ruler’s aggressive resolve can rapidly intensify conflict: Duryodhana’s charge, likened to fire consuming dry brush, suggests that unchecked pride and martial fervor can spread destruction and pull even respected elders into the blaze of war.
Sañjaya describes Duryodhana rushing toward Arjuna with arrows ready, supported by Bhīṣma and Bhūriśravas. The poet uses a vivid simile—like a firebrand intent on burning a thicket—to convey the speed, threat, and destructive potential of the advance.