Shloka 65
Drupada’s Alarm and Inquiry Regarding Śikhaṇḍinī (द्रुपदस्य भय-विमर्शः)
नाहमेनं धनुष्पा्िं युयुत्सुं समुपस्थितम् । मुहूर्तमपि पश्येय॑ प्रहरेयं न चाप्युत
nāham enaṃ dhanuṣpāṇiṃ yuyutsuṃ samupasthitam | muhūrtam api paśyeyaṃ prahareyaṃ na cāpy uta ||
ಅವನು ಧನುಸ್ಸನ್ನು ಕೈಯಲ್ಲಿ ಹಿಡಿದು ಯುದ್ಧಾಸಕ್ತಿಯಿಂದ ನನ್ನ ಮುಂದೆ ಬಂದಾಗ, ನಾನು ಕ್ಷಣಮಾತ್ರವೂ ಅವನತ್ತ ನೋಡುವುದಿಲ್ಲ; ಅವನ ಮೇಲೆ ಪ್ರಹಾರವೂ ಮಾಡುವುದಿಲ್ಲ.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in war, ethical restraint can override the impulse to retaliate: Bhīṣma declares a deliberate refusal to engage—neither looking at nor striking—when a particular opponent approaches ready to fight, indicating a vow-bound or conscience-bound limit within kṣatriya conduct.
In the Udyoga Parva’s pre-war deliberations, Bhīṣma states to others that if that person comes before him armed with a bow and intent on battle, he will not respond as a combatant—he will neither meet the gaze nor deliver a blow—signaling a specific exemption or pledge amid the coming conflict.