Shloka 42
भीष्मरक्षण-प्रकरणम् / The Protective Screen around Bhīṣma and the Śalya–Yudhiṣṭhira Clash
मातुलः शकुनि: शल्य: कृपो द्रोणो विविंशति: । यत्ता रक्षन्तु गाड़ेयं तस्मिन् गुप्ते ध्रुवोी जय:
mātulaḥ śakuniḥ śalyaḥ kṛpo droṇo viviṁśatiḥ | yattā rakṣantu gāṅgeyaṁ tasmin guptē dhruvo jayaḥ ||
Sañjaya disse: “Que meu tio materno Śakuni, Śalya, Kṛpa, Droṇa e Vivimśati permaneçam vigilantes e protejam firmemente Bhīṣma, o filho do Ganga. Se ele for mantido em segurança, nossa vitória é certa.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
In the ethics of war and governance, safeguarding the principal leader is treated as a paramount duty because collective success and stability depend on disciplined protection of the one who anchors the army’s morale and strategy.
Sanjaya reports a directive that key Kaurava warriors—Shakuni, Shalya, Kripa, Drona, and Vivimshati—should stay vigilant and protect Bhishma (Gangeya), asserting that the Kauravas’ victory is certain if Bhishma remains secure.