Shloka 9
भवद्धिः सदृशा: सर्वे कपा: किमिह वर्तते । सर्वे वेदविद: प्राज्ञा: सर्वे च क्रतुयाजिन:
bhavadbhiḥ sadṛśāḥ sarve kapāḥ kim iha vartate | sarve vedavidaḥ prājñāḥ sarve ca kratuyājinaḥ ||
स उवाच—“भवद्भिः सदृशाः सर्वे कपाḥ; किमिह तेषां विरुद्धं वर्तते? सर्वे वेदविदः प्राज्ञाः, सर्वे च क्रतुयाजिनः।”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma frames an ethical challenge: if a group is truly virtuous—Veda-knowing, wise, and committed to sacrificial duty—then hostility toward them demands strong justification. The verse highlights that dharma is assessed by conduct and learning, not merely by labels or group identity.
Bhishma addresses his listener and questions why opposition is being directed at the Kapas. He argues that they possess the marks of righteous life—Vedic knowledge, wisdom, and performance of sacrifices—thereby casting doubt on the legitimacy of the conflict against them.