Indeed the god of Death wrought up with wrath and shooting whetted shafts from his bow, or the king of the celestial armed with the thunder-bolt, or Varuna holding his mighty in noose or the god of wealth wielding his mace, may be vanquished in battle. But Bhishma cnraged in battle could not be vanquished.
गृहीतचापः समरे प्रमुञ्चन् निशिताञ्छरान्। शक्यो जेतुं यमः क्रुद्धो वज्रपाणिश्च देवराट्॥ वरुणः पाशभृच्चापि सगदो वा धनेश्वरः। न तु भीष्मः सुसंक्रुद्धः शक्यो जेतुं महाहवे॥