Shloka 35
उपायधर्म-सेनायोगः
Upāya-dharma and Senāyoga: Expedient Ethics & Army Deployment
अर्थनाशो वधो>कीर्तिरियशश्ष पलायने । अमनोीज्ञासुखा वाच: पुरुषस्य पलायने
artha-nāśo vadho 'kīrtir iyaśaś ca palāyane | amanojñā-sukhā vācāḥ puruṣasya palāyane ||
Bhīṣma said: “In fleeing from the battlefield there are many faults: one’s purpose and wealth are ruined; while running one may be slain by the enemy; disgrace follows and ill-fame spreads everywhere. Moreover, when a man turns back from war, he must also endure many harsh, unpleasant, and painful words from others.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhīṣma teaches that desertion in war is ethically blameworthy because it brings concrete harm (loss of aims and wealth, risk of death) and moral-social harm (disgrace, spreading ill-fame, and enduring bitter public reproach).
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on conduct and duty, Bhīṣma advises about the consequences of fleeing from battle, emphasizing how retreat undermines both practical success and one’s standing in society.