Shloka 26
Cavana’s Tests of Kuśika and the Queen (अध्याय ५३: च्यवन–कुशिक-परिक्षा)
प्राणोत्सर्ग विसर्ग वा मत्स्यैर्यास्याम्यहं सह । संवासान्नोत्सहे त्यक्तुं सलिलेडध्युषितानहम्
prāṇotsarga-visarga vā matsyair yāsyāmy ahaṃ saha | saṃvāsān notsahe tyaktuṃ salile ’dhyuṣitān aham ||
ビーシュマは語った。「命を捨てるにせよ、命を保つにせよ、我はこの魚たちと共にそれを受けよう。彼らは我が同居の友であり、我は久しく水中で彼らと暮らしてきた。ゆえに、彼らを見捨てることはできぬ。」
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharmic loyalty and compassion: one should not abandon those who have shared one’s life and dependence, even when personal risk is involved. Ethical conduct includes gratitude and protection toward vulnerable companions.
Bhishma voices a firm resolve that his fate—whether life or death—will be shared with the fish that have long lived with him in the water. He refuses to leave them behind, emphasizing their long companionship and his inability to forsake them.