Shloka 74
आपद्धर्मनिर्णयः — विश्वामित्र-श्वपचसंवादः
Apaddharma Determination: Dialogue of Viśvāmitra and the Śvapaca
अहं त्वानुप्रवेक्ष्यामि नकुलान्मे महद् भयम् । त्रायस्व भो मा वधीस्त्वं शक्तोडस्मि तव रक्षणे
ahaṃ tvānup्रavekṣyāmi nakulān me mahad bhayam | trāyasva bho mā vadhīs tvaṃ śakto 'smi tava rakṣaṇe ||
Bhishma berkata: “Aku akan masuk selepas engkau; aku sangat takut akan para Nakula. Selamatkanlah aku, tuan—jangan bunuh aku. Aku berupaya melindungimu.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds an ethical appeal: even amid danger, one seeks protection rather than destruction, and asserts responsibility—“I am capable in your protection”—linking personal capability to the dharmic duty of guarding another.
Bhishma addresses another person directly, saying he will follow/enter after them, confesses great fear of the ‘Nakulas,’ and urgently asks to be saved and not killed, while also claiming he can serve as the other’s protector.