Shloka 25
आपद्धर्मे वैश्यवृत्तिः, विक्रय-निषेधाः, तथा ब्रह्म-क्षत्र-सम्बन्धः
Emergency Livelihood, Prohibited Trade, and Brahman–Kshatra Regulation
ब्रह्मवीर्ये मृदुभूते क्षत्रवीर्ये च दुर्बले । दुष्टेषु सर्ववर्णेषु ब्राह्मणान् प्रति सर्वश:
bhīṣma uvāca | brahmavīrye mṛdubhūte kṣatravīrye ca durbale | duṣṭeṣu sarvavarṇeṣu brāhmaṇān prati sarvaśaḥ |
Wika ni Bhīṣma: “Kapag ang espirituwal na lakas ng mga Brahmin (brāhmaṇa) ay humina, at ang tapang ng mga kṣatriya ay nanghina rin; kapag ang mga tao sa lahat ng uri ay naging masama at sa bawat dako’y may poot laban sa mga Brahmin—sa gayong panahon, yaong mga matitibay ang loob na hindi iniinda ang sariling buhay, at kumakapit sa sandata upang labanan ang masasama sa makatarungang galit para ipagtanggol ang mga Brahmin, ang dharma, at ang kanilang sarili—magkakamit ng dalisay na katanyagan na kakalat sa lahat ng panig; sapagkat sa pag-iingat sa mga Brahmin, pinahihintulutan ang lahat na humawak ng sandata.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
When society’s moral and institutional supports collapse—Brahminical spiritual authority weakened, Kshatriya protection enfeebled, and general hostility toward the custodians of dharma—then defending the Brahmins and dharma becomes a universal duty. Those who courageously confront the wicked for this protection gain pure and widely spreading renown, and the text affirms that weapon-bearing is justified for all in such a defensive cause.
In Bhishma’s instruction on dharma in the Śānti Parva, he describes a crisis condition of social breakdown: spiritual leadership is ineffective, royal protection is weak, and widespread hostility targets the Brahmins. He then states the appropriate response—resolute persons should fight the wicked to protect Brahmins, dharma, and themselves—framing this as a legitimate and praiseworthy action.