Mahabharata 1.103.33 — Adi Parva, Adhyaya 103, Shloka 33
Ādi Parva, Adhyāya 103 — Dhṛtarāṣṭra–Gāndhārī Vivāha: Proposal, Consent, and the Vow
रक्षणं चात्मन: संख्ये शत्रवो5प्यभ्यपूजयन् । तान् विनिर्जित्य तु रणे सर्वशस्त्रभूृतां वर:
rakṣaṇaṃ cātmanaḥ saṅkhye śatravo 'py abhyapūjayan | tān vinirjitya tu raṇe sarvaśastrabhṛtāṃ varaḥ ||
বৈশম্পায়ন বললেন—যুদ্ধের ঘনঘটায় আত্মরক্ষার কৌশলে ভীষ্মের প্রশংসা শত্রুরাও করত। তারপর রণে সেই সকল যোদ্ধাকে পরাজিত করে, সর্বশস্ত্রধারীদের শ্রেষ্ঠ ভীষ্ম কন্যাদের সঙ্গে নিয়ে বিজয়ী হয়ে হস্তিনাপুরের দিকে অগ্রসর হলেন।
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights that true martial excellence includes disciplined self-protection and composure; such mastery earns respect even from opponents, aligning prowess with honor rather than mere violence.
During Bhīṣma’s victory in the battlefield episode (connected with carrying off the maidens), his enemies themselves commend his defensive skill; he then defeats them and continues as the foremost warrior among the armed.
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