Shloka 14
Daṇḍa-svarūpa-nirūpaṇa
The Nature, Forms, and Function of Daṇḍa
न जह्ाच्च तनुत्राणं रक्षेदात्मानमात्मना | चारभूमिष्वभिगतान् पाशांश्व परिवर्जयेत्,अपने कवचको कभी न उतारे। स्वयं ही शरीरकी रक्षा करे। घूमने-फिरनेके स्थानोंपर शत्रुओंद्वारा जो जाल बिछाये गये हों, उनका निवारण करे
na jahyāc ca tanutrāṇaṁ rakṣed ātmānam ātmanā | cārabhūmiṣv abhigatān pāśāṁś ca parivarjayet |
Bhīṣma dijo: «Nunca debe despojarse de su armadura protectora; con su propia vigilancia ha de salvaguardarse. Y en los lugares de tránsito y movimiento—caminos, pasos y parajes de ronda—debe detectar y evitar las trampas y lazos tendidos por los enemigos».
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Maintain constant preparedness and personal vigilance: do not discard one’s means of protection, and actively avoid enemy snares encountered in public routes and roaming grounds.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on rājadharma and practical conduct, Bhīṣma advises the listener on personal security—stressing readiness (keeping armour) and caution against traps laid by adversaries in places one must travel.