Shloka 2
Sandhi–Vigraha in Āpada: The Mouse and the Cat (सन्धिविग्रहापदि—मूषकमार्जारसंवादः)
प्रहर्ता मतिमान् शूर: श्रुतववाननृशंसवान् | रक्षन्नाश्रमिणां धर्म ब्रह्मण्यो गुरुपूजक:,कायव्यनामसे प्रसिद्ध एक निषादपुत्रने दस्यु होनेपर भी सिद्धि प्राप्त कर ली थी। वह प्रहारकुशल, शूरवीर, बुद्धिमान, शास्त्रज्ञ, क्रूरतारहित, आश्रमवासियोंके धर्मकी रक्षा करनेवाला, ब्राह्मणभक्त और गुरुपूजक था। वह क्षत्रिय पितासे एक निषादजातिकी स्त्रीके गर्भसे उत्पन्न हुआ था; अतः क्षत्रियधर्मका निरन्तर पालन करता था
prahartā matimān śūraḥ śrutavān anṛśaṃsavān | rakṣann āśramiṇāṃ dharmaṃ brahmaṇyo gurupūjakaḥ ||
అతడు ప్రహారనిపుణుడు, శూరుడు, బుద్ధిమంతుడు, శాస్త్రశ్రుతుడు, క్రూరతలేని వాడు; ఆశ్రమవాసుల ధర్మాన్ని కాపాడేవాడు, బ్రాహ్మణభక్తుడు, గురుపూజకుడు.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse emphasizes that true excellence is shown through conduct: courage tempered by compassion, learning joined with humility, and the protection of righteous life (especially of ascetics and hermitages). Devotion to Brahmins and reverence for one’s teacher are presented as ethical pillars that support dharma, regardless of complicated birth circumstances.
Bhishma is describing the qualities of a particular person held up as an example: a warrior skilled in combat yet non-cruel, who safeguards the dharma of hermitage-dwellers and honors Brahmins and his guru. The surrounding prose tradition (as reflected in the Gita Press context) notes his mixed parentage (Kshatriya father and Nishada mother) and highlights that steadfast adherence to Kshatriya duty led him to attain success.