Shloka 8
जनकस्य युद्धोपदेशः — Janaka’s Instruction on Steadfast Battle-Conduct
अजयन्त रणे शत्रून् हर्षयन्तो नरेश्वरम् । तस्मादात्मवता नित्यं स्थातव्यं रणमूर्धनि
ajayanta raṇe śatrūn harṣayanto nareśvaram | tasmād ātmavatā nityaṃ sthātavyaṃ raṇamūrdhani ||
Bhīṣma dit : «Ils vainquirent les ennemis au combat, réjouissant leur roi. Aussi l’homme maître de lui et résolu doit-il toujours se tenir ferme au tout premier rang de la lutte.»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Victory and honor in a righteous struggle arise from disciplined self-control and unwavering resolve; a warrior who is ātmavat (self-possessed) should not waver but remain firm at the battle’s forefront in fulfillment of duty.
Bhīṣma recalls warriors who, by fighting steadfastly, defeated the enemy and increased their king’s joy; he draws a general lesson from this example, urging constant firmness at the critical front line of battle.