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
भीष्म म्हणाले—किंवा केवळ पुरुषार्थाने मी हिचे रक्षण करू शकत नाही; कारण ऐश्वर्यवान, बहुरूपी पाकशासन इंद्र अत्यंत सामर्थ्यवान असे ऐकिवात आहे. म्हणून योगबलाचा आश्रय घेऊन मी इंद्राविरुद्धही हिचे रक्षण करीन.
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.