Shloka 34
ब्राह्मणपूजा-राजधर्मः | Royal Duty of Honoring Learned Brahmins
स रथी बद्धनिस्त्रिंशो बभौ दीप्त इवानल: । प्रययौ स धनुर्धुन्चन् खड्गी चर्मी शरासनी
sa rathī baddha-nistriṁśo babhau dīpta ivānalaḥ | prayayau sa dhanur-dhuñcan khaḍgī carmī śarāsanī ||
Wika ni Bhishma: Nakalulan sa kaniyang karwahe, at ang tabak ay nakatali sa baywang, siya’y nagningning na parang naglalagablab na apoy. Taglay ang tabak at kalasag at tangan ang pana, sumulong siya, pinapaugong ang kaniyang pana—humahakbang na may mabangis na paninindigan ng mandirigmang handang kumilos ayon sa tungkuling pinili niyang tuparin.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣatriya ideal of resolute preparedness: a warrior, properly armed and composed, advances to perform his chosen duty. The ethical undertone is steadiness in one’s role (svadharma) and disciplined readiness rather than impulsive violence.
A chariot-warrior mounts his chariot, fastens his sword, and advances fully armed—sword, shield, and bow—his presence compared to blazing fire, while the bow is made to resound as he moves forward.