Shloka 231
Devaśarmā–Vipula Dialogue on Ahorātra–Ṛtu as Moral Witnesses (अनुशासन पर्व, अध्याय ४३)
Devanagari script
रक्षाविधानं मनसा स संचिन्त्य महातपा:
Transliteration
rakṣāvidhānaṃ manasā sa sañcintya mahātapāḥ
Translation
रक्षाविधानं मनसा स संचिन्त्य महातपाः। ततः स धैर्येण यत्नेन च प्रववृते, यथा रक्षणं विमर्शेन संयमेन च धर्मतः स्यात्।
Word by Word
रक्षाविधानम्arrangement/procedure of protection
रक्षाविधानम्:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootरक्षा-विधान
FormNeuter, Accusative, Singular
मनसाwith the mind
मनसा:
Karana
TypeNoun
Rootमनस्
FormNeuter, Instrumental, Singular
सःhe
सः:
Karta
TypePronoun
Rootतद्
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular
संचिन्त्यhaving reflected/considered
संचिन्त्य:
TypeVerb
Rootसम्-चिन्त्
Formक्त्वा (absolutive/gerund), Parasmaipada (usage-neutral for gerund)
महातपाःthe great ascetic (of great austerity)
महातपाः:
Karta
TypeNoun
Rootमहातपस्
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular
Speaker
भीष्म उवाच
Characters & Entities
B
BhīṣmaCharacter Dynamics
Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)
War Context
Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)
Philosophical Teaching
Political Layer
Geographic Context
Sandhi Notes
Educational Q&A
Protection (rakṣā) should be planned with thoughtful deliberation (sañcintya manasā) and grounded in disciplined, dharmic intent—implying that ethical safeguarding requires foresight and self-restraint.
Bhīṣma describes a figure characterized as a great ascetic (mahātapāḥ) who first reflects on the appropriate protective arrangement (rakṣāvidhāna) before acting, emphasizing careful planning in matters of security and duty.