Shloka 34
ब्राह्मणपूजा-राजधर्मः | Royal Duty of Honoring Learned Brahmins
स रथी बद्धनिस्त्रिंशो बभौ दीप्त इवानल: । प्रययौ स धनुर्धुन्चन् खड्गी चर्मी शरासनी
sa rathī baddha-nistriṁśo babhau dīpta ivānalaḥ | prayayau sa dhanur-dhuñcan khaḍgī carmī śarāsanī ||
Ia naik ke atas kereta perangnya, mengikat pedang di pinggang, dan tampak menyala laksana api yang berkobar. Dengan pedang dan perisai serta busur di tangan, ia maju sambil membuat busurnya berdentang nyaring.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣatriya ideal of resolute preparedness: a warrior, properly armed and composed, advances to perform his chosen duty. The ethical undertone is steadiness in one’s role (svadharma) and disciplined readiness rather than impulsive violence.
A chariot-warrior mounts his chariot, fastens his sword, and advances fully armed—sword, shield, and bow—his presence compared to blazing fire, while the bow is made to resound as he moves forward.