Shloka 6
Sandhi–Vigraha in Āpada: The Mouse and the Cat (सन्धिविग्रहापदि—मूषकमार्जारसंवादः)
अप्यनेकशतां सेनामेक एव जिगाय स: | स वृद्धावन्धबधिरौ महारण्ये5भ्यपूजयत्,वह सैकड़ों मनुष्योंकी सेनाको अकेले ही जीत लेता था और उस महान् वनमें रहकर अपने अन्धे और बहरे माता-पिताकी सेवा-पूजा किया करता था
apy anekaśatāṃ senām eka eva jigāya saḥ | sa vṛddhāv andhabadhirau mahāraṇye 'bhyapūjayat |
Bhishma berkata: Dia seorang diri mampu menewaskan angkatan tentera yang berjumlah ratusan. Namun, tinggal di rimba yang besar, dia tetap berbakti melayani dan memuliakan ibu bapanya yang tua—yang buta dan pekak—menunjukkan bahawa keunggulan sejati menyatukan kepahlawanan dengan bakti anak yang teguh.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a dharmic ideal: strength and victory in battle are not the highest measure of a person unless joined with humility and duty—especially reverent service to one’s aged parents.
Bhishma describes a remarkable man who could defeat a large army alone, yet lived in a great forest where he continually cared for and honored his elderly parents, who were blind and deaf.