Shloka 41
भीष्मरक्षण-प्रकरणम् / The Protective Screen around Bhīṣma and the Śalya–Yudhiṣṭhira Clash
अरक्ष्यमाणं हि वृको हन्यात् सिंहं महाहवे । मा वृकेणेव गाड़ेयं घातयेम शिखण्डिना,“यदि महायुद्धमें सिंहकी रक्षा नहीं की जाय तो उसे एक भेड़िया मार सकता है, परंतु हम भेड़ियेके सदूश शिखण्डीके हाथसे सिंहके समान भीष्मका वध नहीं होने देंगे
arakṣyamāṇaṃ hi vṛko hanyāt siṃhaṃ mahāhave | mā vṛkeṇeva gāḍeyaṃ ghātayema śikhaṇḍinā ||
ในมหาสงคราม หากสิงห์ไร้ผู้คุ้มกัน แม้หมาป่าก็อาจโค่นมันได้; แต่เราจักไม่ยอมให้ภีษมะผู้ดุจสิงห์ถูกสังหารด้วยมือศิขัณฑินผู้ดุจหมาป่า
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames an ethical stance on warfare: a mighty warrior should not be brought down through a perceived unworthy or indirect means. It emphasizes guarding honor and preventing a revered elder (Bhīṣma) from being slain by exploiting a tactical vulnerability associated with Śikhaṇḍin.
Sañjaya reports the Kurus’ resolve regarding the battlefield situation: Bhīṣma, though supremely powerful, could be endangered if left unsupported. The simile warns that even a ‘wolf’ can kill a ‘lion’ if the lion is unguarded, and declares they will not permit Bhīṣma’s fall through Śikhaṇḍin’s agency.