Shloka 40
रक्ष्याश्न ते पाण्डवेया भवान् येषां परायणम् | उक्तवानस्मि दुर्बुद्धिं मन््द दुर्योधनं तदा
rakṣyāśna te pāṇḍaveyā bhavān yeṣāṁ parāyaṇam | uktavān asmi durbuddhiṁ manda duryodhanaṁ tadā
रक्ष्याः स्म ते पाण्डवेयैर्भवान् येषां परायणम्। उक्तवानस्मि दुर्बुद्धिं मन्दं दुर्योधनं तदा॥
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
One should recognize rightful protectors and take refuge in the virtuous; ignoring wise counsel and persisting in misguided intellect (durbuddhi) leads to ruin. Bhīṣma underscores the ethical duty of protection and the tragedy of advice rejected.
Bhīṣma recalls that he had previously admonished Duryodhana, describing him as dull-witted and misguided. He also states that the Pāṇḍavas are the ones who ought to protect the addressed person, since that person is their chief refuge—framing the Pāṇḍavas as dharmic guardians in the situation.