Shloka 45
Devaśarmā–Vipula Dialogue on Ahorātra–Ṛtu as Moral Witnesses (अनुशासन पर्व, अध्याय ४३)
अथवा पौरुषेणेयं न शक््या रक्षितुं मया
athavā pauruṣeṇeyaṁ na śakyā rakṣituṁ mayā
Bhīṣma dijo: «De otro modo, no puedo proteger esto con el mero esfuerzo humano. Pues de Indra—señor de la prosperidad y célebre por asumir muchas formas—se dice que es poderosísimo. Por ello, me apoyaré sólo en la fuerza del yoga y la protegeré incluso contra Indra.»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse contrasts ordinary human exertion (pauruṣa/puruṣārtha) with yogic or ascetic potency (yogabala), implying that certain protections or vows cannot be upheld by mere worldly strength when confronted with divine-level power; one must rely on inner spiritual discipline and higher means.
Bhīṣma reflects on his inability to safeguard a certain matter through ordinary effort alone. Anticipating opposition even from Indra—renowned for power and many disguises—he resolves to take refuge in yogic strength to ensure protection.