Shloka 43
अध्याय ५६ — च्यवन–कुशिकसंवादः
Cyavana–Kuśika Dialogue on Lineage, Conflict, and Transmission
वेपमानौ निराहारौ पञ्चाशद्रात्रकर्षितौ । कथंचिदूहतुर्वीरी दम्पती तं रथोत्तमम्
vepamānau nirāhārau pañcāśad-rātra-karśitau | kathaṃcid ūhatur vīrī dampatī taṃ rathottamam ||
അമ്പത് രാത്രികൾ ആഹാരമില്ലാതെ ക്ഷീണിച്ച്, ശരീരമൊട്ടാകെ വിറച്ചിരുന്നിട്ടും, ആ വീര ദമ്പതികൾ എങ്ങനെയോ ധൈര്യം കൂട്ടി ആ ഉത്തമ രഥത്തിന്റെ ഭാരം വഹിച്ച് നീങ്ങി।
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights steadfastness in duty under extreme hardship: even when weakened by prolonged fasting and physical trembling, one should not abandon a righteous task. It serves as an ethical exemplum of endurance (titikṣā) and resolve aligned with dharma.
Bhishma describes a husband and wife who, after fifty nights without food, have become emaciated and are trembling; nevertheless, they bravely manage—somehow—to carry or drag an excellent chariot, emphasizing their extraordinary perseverance.