Shloka 31
Kṣātra-dharma in Campaign and Battle: Protection, Purification, and the Ideal Warrior’s End (क्षात्रधर्मः—अभियानयुद्धे रक्षणदानशुद्धिः)
सर्वोपायै रणमुखमातिष्स्त्यक्तजीवित: । प्राप्नोतीन्द्रस्य सालोक्यं शूर: पृष्ठमदर्शयन्,शूरवीर प्राणोंका मोह छोड़कर युद्धके मुहानेपर खड़ा होकर सभी उपायोंसे जूझता है और शत्रुको कभी पीठ नहीं दिखाता है; ऐसा शूरवीर इन्द्रके समान लोकका अधिकारी होता है
sarvopāyai raṇamukham ātiṣṭhya tyaktajīvitaḥ | prāpnotīndrasya sālokyaṃ śūraḥ pṛṣṭham adarśayan ||
Bhīṣma dit : «Le héros qui, ayant mis sa vie en jeu, demeure ferme au tout premier front du combat et lutte par tous les moyens—sans jamais tourner le dos à l’ennemi—obtient la demeure (sālokya) dans le monde d’Indra.»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches the kṣatriya ideal of unwavering bravery: a warrior should stand at the battle-front, exert every effort, and never turn his back in fear. Such steadfast fulfillment of duty is praised as meriting heavenly reward—residence in Indra’s realm.
In Śānti Parva, Bhīṣma instructs Yudhiṣṭhira on dharma. Here he describes the conduct and fruit of a true śūra (hero): one who fights resolutely at the forefront, prepared to die, and does not retreat from the enemy, is said to attain Indra’s world.