Shloka 26
Ādi-parva Adhyāya 141: Bhīma–Hiḍimba Confrontation and Protective Discourse
तथा शांतनवो भीष्म: सत्यसंधो महाव्रत: । प्रत्याख्याय पुरा राज्यं नस जातु ग्रहीष्यति,“महान् व्रतका पालन करनेवाले शंतनुनन्दन भीष्म तो सत्यप्रतिज्ञ हैं। वे पहले ही राज्य ठुकरा चुके हैं, अत: अब उसे कदापि ग्रहण न करेंगे
tathā śāṃtanavo bhīṣmaḥ satyasaṃdho mahāvrataḥ | pratyākhyāya purā rājyaṃ na sa jātu grahīṣyati ||
อีกทั้งภีษมะ โอรสแห่งศานตนุ ผู้มั่นคงในสัจจะและทรงมหาวรตะ ได้ปฏิเสธราชสมบัติมาแต่กาลก่อน ย่อมไม่รับมันอีกเป็นอันขาด
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharma as fidelity to one’s pledged word: Bhīṣma’s ethical greatness lies in unwavering truthfulness and steadfast observance of his vow, even when political power is available.
Vaiśampāyana emphasizes that Bhīṣma, having earlier rejected the throne, will not accept kingship again—underscoring his role as a guardian of the realm who upholds vows rather than seeking sovereignty.