Shloka 7
Brāhmaṇa-pūjā and Namaskāra: Criteria of Reverence and Non-Offense (ब्राह्मणपूजा-नमस्कारविधिः)
एवंशीलसमाचारान् धर्षयामो हि मानवान् | श्रूयतां च प्रतीघातान् यैर्न शकक्नुम हिंसितुम्,जिनके ऐसे शील और आचार हैं, उन मनुष्योंको हम धर दबाते हैं। अब उन प्रतिरोधक उपायोंको सुनिये, जिनके कारण हम मनुष्योंकी हिंसा नहीं कर पाते
evaṃśīlasamācārān dharṣayāmo hi mānavān | śrūyatāṃ ca pratīghātān yair na śaknuma hiṃsitum ||
Bhīṣma said: “Indeed, we are able to overpower men who possess such a disposition and conduct. Now listen to the counter-measures—those forms of resistance by which we are not able to harm such people.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma points to the ethical power of character and right conduct: certain people, protected by their virtue and disciplined behavior, become difficult to harm. He introduces the idea that there are specific 'counter-measures' (pratīghāta) that prevent violence from succeeding against them.
Bhishma, in an instructive mode, contrasts those whom force can subdue with those whose moral stature creates resistance to harm. He transitions into explaining the means by which such resistance operates—setting up the next part of his discourse.