Shloka 10
आपद्धर्मे कोशबलन्यायः | Treasury, Force, and Crisis-Ethics for the King
दृष्टवाहं तं कृश विप्रं भीत: परमदुर्मना: । पादौ तस्याभिवाद्याथ स्थित: प्राउजलिरग्रत:,मैं उन दुबले-पतले ब्राह्मणको देखकर डर गया और मन-ही-मन बहुत दुखी हो गया; फिर उनके चरणोंमें प्रणाम करके दोनों हाथ जोड़कर उनके आगे खड़ा हो गया
dṛṣṭvāhaṃ taṃ kṛśa vipraṃ bhītaḥ paramadurmanāḥ | pādau tasyābhivādyātha sthitaḥ prāñjalir agrataḥ ||
Seeing that emaciated brāhmaṇa, I became afraid and was overwhelmed with inner distress. Then, having bowed at his feet, I stood before him with my hands joined in reverence.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dhārmic conduct: even when shaken by fear or guilt, one should respond with humility and respect toward a brāhmaṇa/elder—bowing at the feet and standing with folded hands—signaling readiness to listen, accept correction, and act ethically.
Bhīṣma describes his immediate reaction upon seeing a frail brāhmaṇa: he feels fear and deep mental anguish, then formally pays obeisance at the brāhmaṇa’s feet and stands before him with joined palms, indicating reverence and submission to the brāhmaṇa’s words.