Shloka 5
जनकस्य युद्धोपदेशः — Janaka’s Instruction on Steadfast Battle-Conduct
इमे पलायमानानां नरकाः: प्रत्युपस्थिता: । अकीर्ति: शाश्व॒ती चैव यतितव्यमनन्तरम्
ime palāyamānānāṁ narakāḥ pratyupasthitāḥ | akīrtiḥ śāśvatī caiva yatitavyam anantaram ||
Bhīṣma dit : «Et voyez : les enfers se tiennent prêts pour ceux qui fuient la bataille. Avec cela, une honte durable se répand en ce monde. C’est pourquoi vous devez, sans délai, vous efforcer avec une résolution ferme d’obtenir la victoire.»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma frames desertion as a serious breach of kshatriya-duty: fleeing invites both otherworldly suffering (naraka) and lasting worldly dishonor (akīrti). The ethical thrust is that one should meet one’s rightful obligation with courage and immediate effort rather than escape out of fear.
Bhishma addresses warriors in a counsel-like tone, warning them that turning their backs in battle leads to dire consequences. He urges prompt exertion—‘without delay’—to stand firm and strive for victory, emphasizing the social and moral weight of reputation and duty.