Shloka 45
Devaśarmā–Vipula Dialogue on Ahorātra–Ṛtu as Moral Witnesses (अनुशासन पर्व, अध्याय ४३)
अथवा पौरुषेणेयं न शक््या रक्षितुं मया
athavā pauruṣeṇeyaṁ na śakyā rakṣituṁ mayā
ಭೀಷ್ಮನು ಹೇಳಿದನು—ಅಥವಾ ಕೇವಲ ಮಾನವಪ್ರಯತ್ನದಿಂದ ನಾನು ಇದನ್ನು ರಕ್ಷಿಸಲಾರೆ; ಏಕೆಂದರೆ ಐಶ್ವರ್ಯವಂತನಾದ, ಬಹುರೂಪಧಾರಿಯಾದ ಪಾಕಶಾಸನ ಇಂದ್ರನು ಅತ್ಯಂತ ಬಲವಂತನೆಂದು ಕೇಳಿಬರುತ್ತದೆ. ಆದ್ದರಿಂದ ಯೋಗಬಲವನ್ನು ಆಶ್ರಯಿಸಿ ಇಂದ್ರನ ವಿರುದ್ಧವೂ ಇದನ್ನು ರಕ್ಷಿಸುವೆನು.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse contrasts ordinary human exertion (pauruṣa/puruṣārtha) with yogic or ascetic potency (yogabala), implying that certain protections or vows cannot be upheld by mere worldly strength when confronted with divine-level power; one must rely on inner spiritual discipline and higher means.
Bhīṣma reflects on his inability to safeguard a certain matter through ordinary effort alone. Anticipating opposition even from Indra—renowned for power and many disguises—he resolves to take refuge in yogic strength to ensure protection.