Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 40
रक्ष्याश्न ते पाण्डवेया भवान् येषां परायणम् | उक्तवानस्मि दुर्बुद्धिं मन््द दुर्योधनं तदा
rakṣyāśna te pāṇḍaveyā bhavān yeṣāṁ parāyaṇam | uktavān asmi durbuddhiṁ manda duryodhanaṁ tadā
Bhīṣma said: “You are to be protected by those Pāṇḍava princes for whom you are the supreme refuge. Even then I had already spoken to dull-witted Duryodhana, warning and instructing him.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
One should recognize rightful protectors and take refuge in the virtuous; ignoring wise counsel and persisting in misguided intellect (durbuddhi) leads to ruin. Bhīṣma underscores the ethical duty of protection and the tragedy of advice rejected.
Bhīṣma recalls that he had previously admonished Duryodhana, describing him as dull-witted and misguided. He also states that the Pāṇḍavas are the ones who ought to protect the addressed person, since that person is their chief refuge—framing the Pāṇḍavas as dharmic guardians in the situation.