Shloka 18
Arjuna’s Advance toward Bhīṣma; The Gāṇḍīva’s Signal and the Armies’ Convergence (भीष्माभिमुखगमनम् — गाण्डीवनिर्घोष-ध्वजवर्णनम्)
समरे प्रेक्ष्य यन्तारं विशोक॑ तु वृकोदर: । पीडित॑ विशिखैस्ती#्ष्णैस्तव पुत्रेण धन्विना
saṃgare prekṣya yantāraṃ viśokaṃ tu vṛkodaraḥ | pīḍitaṃ viśikhaiḥ tīkṣṇaiḥ tava putreṇa dhanvinā ||
三阇耶说道：毗摩（狼腹者）见自己的御者毗首迦在战场上被你之子——那执弓者——以锐箭所伤，便再也无法忍受。怒火攻心，他执起自己的天授神弓，意欲诛杀你的儿子；随即搭上一支带翼的剃刃箭，以此斩断了难敌王那张上好的弓。
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the warrior-ethic of protecting one’s dependents: Bhīma’s intolerance of harm to his charioteer becomes a catalyst for decisive action. It also illustrates how anger, when directed toward defending others, can intensify resolve—yet remains ethically charged because it risks excess in violence.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Bhīma sees his charioteer Viśoka struck by sharp arrows shot by Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s son (Duryodhana). Enraged, Bhīma takes up his divine bow and, using a razor-headed arrow, cuts down Duryodhana’s bow, escalating the duel.