Shloka 51
बक-गौतमाख्यानम् / The Baka–Gautama Account
On Gratitude and Friendship Ethics
सम्प्रगृह्म तु निस्त्रिंशं कालाग्निसमवर्चसम् | त्रिकूटं चर्म चोद्यम्य सविद्युतमिवाम्बुदम् । चचार विविधान् मार्गान् महाबलपराक्रम:
sampragṛhya tu nistriṁśaṁ kālāgnisamavarcasam | trikūṭaṁ carma codyamya savidyutam ivāmbudam | cacāra vividhān mārgān mahābalaparākramaḥ ||
Bhīṣma sprach: „Er griff nach seinem Schwert, das loderte wie das Feuer der Zeit selbst, und hob seinen dreifach gerippten Schild, der einer von Blitzen durchzuckten Gewitterwolke glich. Jener mächtige und kühne Krieger bewegte sich auf mancherlei Wegen—und rückte mit gewaltiger Kraft und Tapferkeit vor.“
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the awe-inspiring force of a warrior’s preparedness—weapon in hand and shield raised—suggesting that power, when disciplined and directed, becomes effective action. In the broader Shanti Parva setting, such martial imagery often serves to contrast raw might with the higher ethical demand that strength be governed by dharma.
Bhishma describes a powerful warrior arming himself: he grips a sword compared to the blazing fire of Time and lifts a triple-crested shield likened to a lightning-filled cloud. Thus equipped, the warrior advances through various routes, moving with great strength and valor.