Shloka 15
Amba’s Disclosure of Prior Choice (Śālva) and Appeal to Bhīṣma — Chapter 171
अर्जुन वासुदेवं च ये चान्ये तत्र पार्थिवा: । सर्वास्तान् वारयिष्यामि यावद् द्रक्ष्यामि भारत
arjunaṃ vāsudevaṃ ca ye cānye tatra pārthivāḥ | sarvāṃs tān vārayiṣyāmi yāvad drakṣyāmi bhārata ||
Bhīṣma dit : «Arjuna et Vāsudeva, et quels que soient les autres rois qui s’y trouvent — tant que je pourrai encore les voir, ô Bhārata, je les retiendrai tous et empêcherai leur avance.»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights kṣatriya resolve and the ethic of steadfastness: Bhīṣma commits to restraining even the foremost warriors as long as he remains capable, showing unwavering adherence to his chosen side and duty, regardless of personal regard for opponents.
Bhīṣma, speaking in the Udyoga Parva context of impending conflict, declares that he will block the advance of Arjuna, Kṛṣṇa, and the other kings present—asserting his readiness to act as a bulwark against them for as long as he can still face them.