Mahabharata 1.103.33 — Adi Parva, Adhyaya 103, Shloka 33
Ādi Parva, Adhyāya 103 — Dhṛtarāṣṭra–Gāndhārī Vivāha: Proposal, Consent, and the Vow
रक्षणं चात्मन: संख्ये शत्रवो5प्यभ्यपूजयन् । तान् विनिर्जित्य तु रणे सर्वशस्त्रभूृतां वर:
rakṣaṇaṃ cātmanaḥ saṅkhye śatravo 'py abhyapūjayan | tān vinirjitya tu raṇe sarvaśastrabhṛtāṃ varaḥ ||
Vaiśaṃpāyana berkata: Bahkan musuh pun memuji kemahiran Bhīṣma melindungi dirinya di tengah himpitan pertempuran. Setelah menewaskan dan menundukkan para pahlawan itu dalam gelanggang perang, dia—yang terunggul antara para pemegang senjata—meneruskan perjalanan sebagai pemenang, membawa para puteri menuju Hastināpura. Dalam peristiwa ini, keunggulan kepahlawanan tidak digambarkan semata-mata sebagai keganasan menyerang, tetapi sebagai penguasaan yang berdisiplin: kepantasan tangan, kewaspadaan mempertahan diri, dan kekuatan yang terkawal—diakui bahkan oleh lawan—menjadi tanda kemasyhuran dan martabat seorang kṣatriya.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights that true martial excellence includes disciplined self-protection and composure; such mastery earns respect even from opponents, aligning prowess with honor rather than mere violence.
During Bhīṣma’s victory in the battlefield episode (connected with carrying off the maidens), his enemies themselves commend his defensive skill; he then defeats them and continues as the foremost warrior among the armed.
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