Shloka 19
पतत्यभिमुख: शूर: परान् भीरु: पलायते । आस्थाय स्वर्ग्यमध्वानं सहायान् विषमे त्यजेत्,शूरवीर शत्रुके सम्मुख वेगसे आगे बढ़ता है और भीरु पुरुष पीठ दिखाकर भागने लगता है। वह स्वर्गलोकके मार्गपर पहुँचकर भी अपने सहायकोंको उस संकटके समय अकेला छोड़ देता है
pataty abhimukhaḥ śūraḥ parān bhīruḥ palāyate | āsthāya svargyam adhvānaṃ sahāyān viṣame tyajet ||
Bhishma disse: “O valente avança de frente contra o inimigo, enquanto o covarde foge. E mesmo depois de se pôr no ‘caminho que conduz ao céu’—o caminho do dever heroico—tal covarde abandona seus companheiros no próprio meio do perigo.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
True valor is not only facing the enemy but also remaining steadfast with one’s companions; cowardice is shown both in fleeing and in abandoning allies at the moment of crisis.
In Bhishma’s instruction on conduct and duty, he contrasts the behavior of a brave warrior who advances toward the foe with that of a coward who retreats and even deserts his comrades despite claiming the merit of a ‘heavenward’ heroic path.