Shloka 51
Devanagari script
छिद्रं तु तस्य तद् दृष्ट्वा प्रोचुस्ते पूर्वमन्त्रिण:
Transliteration
chidraṃ tu tasya tad dṛṣṭvā procus te pūrva-mantriṇaḥ
Translation
But when his former counsellors noticed that flaw—that vulnerable opening—they spoke up, pointing out the weakness they had perceived.
Word by Word
छिद्रम्a flaw/weak point
छिद्रम्:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootछिद्र
FormNeuter, Accusative, Singular
तुbut/indeed
तु:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootतु
तस्यof him/of that
तस्य:
Adhikarana
TypePronoun
Rootतद्
FormMasculine/Neuter, Genitive, Singular
तत्that
तत्:
Karma
TypePronoun
Rootतद्
FormNeuter, Accusative, Singular
दृष्ट्वाhaving seen
दृष्ट्वा:
TypeVerb
Rootदृश्
Formक्त्वा (absolutive/gerund), Parasmaipada (usage-neutral)
प्रोचुःthey said/declared
प्रोचुः:
TypeVerb
Rootप्र + वच्
FormPerfect (Liṭ), Third, Plural, Parasmaipada
तेthey/those
ते:
Karta
TypePronoun
Rootतद्
FormMasculine, Nominative, Plural
पूर्वमन्त्रिणःformer ministers/counsellors
पूर्वमन्त्रिणः:
Karta
TypeNoun
Rootपूर्वमन्त्रिन्
FormMasculine, Nominative, Plural
Speaker
भीष्म उवाच
Characters & Entities
P
pūrva-mantriṇaḥ (former counsellors/ministers)Character Dynamics
Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)
War Context
Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)
Philosophical Teaching
Political Layer
Cross References
Meter (Chandas)
Sandhi Notes
Educational Q&A
A ruler or decision-maker should be alert to vulnerabilities (chidra) and value frank counsel. Ethical governance includes identifying weaknesses early and allowing experienced advisers to speak openly to prevent future harm.
Bhīṣma describes a situation where former counsellors observe a specific weakness or opening in someone’s position or plan. After noticing it, they voice their assessment, implying corrective advice or warning.