Shloka 26
Cavana’s Tests of Kuśika and the Queen (अध्याय ५३: च्यवन–कुशिक-परिक्षा)
प्राणोत्सर्ग विसर्ग वा मत्स्यैर्यास्याम्यहं सह । संवासान्नोत्सहे त्यक्तुं सलिलेडध्युषितानहम्
prāṇotsarga-visarga vā matsyair yāsyāmy ahaṃ saha | saṃvāsān notsahe tyaktuṃ salile ’dhyuṣitān aham ||
Bhishma sprach: „Ob es nun das Aufgeben meines Lebens ist oder dessen Bewahrung — ich werde es gemeinsam mit diesen Fischen durchstehen. Sie waren meine Gefährten; lange habe ich mit ihnen im Wasser gelebt. Darum habe ich nicht das Herz, sie zu verlassen.“
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharmic loyalty and compassion: one should not abandon those who have shared one’s life and dependence, even when personal risk is involved. Ethical conduct includes gratitude and protection toward vulnerable companions.
Bhishma voices a firm resolve that his fate—whether life or death—will be shared with the fish that have long lived with him in the water. He refuses to leave them behind, emphasizing their long companionship and his inability to forsake them.