Shloka 5
Adhyāya 108 — Nimitta-darśana and Drona’s counsel amid Arjuna’s advance (निमित्तदर्शनं द्रोणोपदेशश्च)
तत्र कार्यतमं मन्ये भीष्मस्यैवाभिरक्षणम् | गोप्ता होष महेष्वासो भीष्मो5स्माकं महाव्रत:
tatra kāryatamaṃ manye bhīṣmasyaivābhirakṣaṇam | goptā hoṣa maheṣvāso bhīṣmo 'smākaṃ mahāvrataḥ ||
“Ali, considero que o dever mais urgente é salvaguardar Bhīṣma, e somente a ele; pois este Bhīṣma, de grande voto e poderoso arqueiro, é o protetor do nosso lado.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
In a crisis, the foremost duty is to protect the pivotal guardian-leader whose presence sustains collective security and morale; safeguarding such a figure is framed as a primary ethical and strategic obligation.
Sañjaya reports an assessment of priorities on the battlefield: the most important task is to ensure Bhīṣma’s protection, because Bhīṣma—renowned for his vows and archery—is regarded as the chief protector of their forces.