Shloka 2
Sandhi–Vigraha in Āpada: The Mouse and the Cat (सन्धिविग्रहापदि—मूषकमार्जारसंवादः)
प्रहर्ता मतिमान् शूर: श्रुतववाननृशंसवान् | रक्षन्नाश्रमिणां धर्म ब्रह्मण्यो गुरुपूजक:
prahartā matimān śūraḥ śrutavān anṛśaṃsavān | rakṣann āśramiṇāṃ dharmaṃ brahmaṇyo gurupūjakaḥ ||
Sinabi ni Bhishma: “Siya’y bihasa sa pag-atake sa digmaan—matapang, matalino, may kaalaman sa banal na tradisyon, at walang kalupitan. Ipinagtanggol niya ang dharma ng mga naninirahan sa mga ashram sa gubat, deboto sa mga Brahmin, at mapitagang naglilingkod sa kanyang mga guro. Bagaman isinilang sa amang Kshatriya at inang Nishada, matatag niyang tinupad ang kodigo ng Kshatriya, at dahil dito’y nagkamit ng tagumpay na espirituwal.”
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.