Shloka 19
कृप-अर्जुन रथयुद्धम्
Kṛpa–Arjuna Chariot Engagement
मत्स्यं वा पुनरायातमागतं वा शतक्रतुम् । अहमावारयिष्यामि वेलेव मकरालयम्,फिर तो चाहे मत्स्यनरेश आ जाये या साक्षात् इन्द्र, जैसे वेला समुद्रको रोक देती है, उसी प्रकार मैं उन्हें आगे बढ़नेसे रोक रखूँगा
matsyaṃ vā punarāyātam āgataṃ vā śatakratum | aham āvārayiṣyāmi veleva makarālayam ||
Bhīṣma disse: “Quer o rei de Matsya retorne, quer até mesmo Śatakratu (Indra) chegue em pessoa, eu os deterei—como a linha da costa contém o oceano, morada dos makaras. Não lhes permitirei avançar.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣatriya ideal of steadfast resolve: a warrior-leader publicly commits to defend his side without fear, even against overwhelming or divine opposition. Ethically, it illustrates how vows and confidence function as instruments of morale and deterrence in a war setting.
Bhīṣma declares that he will prevent the opposing force from advancing, whether it is the Matsya king returning or even Indra himself. He uses a vivid simile—like the shoreline holding back the sea—to express his intent to act as an unyielding barrier.