Shloka 27
आपद्धर्मे वैश्यवृत्तिः, विक्रय-निषेधाः, तथा ब्रह्म-क्षत्र-सम्बन्धः
Emergency Livelihood, Prohibited Trade, and Brahman–Kshatra Regulation
मनस्थविनो मन्युमन्तः पुण्यश्लोका भवन्ति ते । ब्राह्मणार्थ हि सर्वेषां शस्त्रग्रहणमिष्यते
bhīṣma uvāca | manasvino manyumantaḥ puṇyaślokā bhavanti te | brāhmaṇārthaṃ hi sarveṣāṃ śastragrahaṇam iṣyate ||
Wika ni Bhīṣma: “Ang mga matatag ang loob at puspos ng makatarungang galit ay nagiging mga taong may banal na katanyagan. Sapagkat para sa kapakanan ng pag-iingat sa mga Brahmin, pinahihintulutan na ang lahat ay makapaghawak ng sandata.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma teaches that protecting Brahmins and dharma can justify taking up arms even beyond the Kshatriya class: when social and moral order collapses and the wicked threaten Brahmins, resolute people who fight to defend them earn pure and lasting renown.
In Shanti Parva’s instruction on dharma and governance, Bhishma explains to the listener that in times of societal decline—when respect for Brahmins erodes and Kshatriya strength falters—those who courageously resist wrongdoers to protect Brahmins, dharma, and communal safety are praised, and weapon-bearing becomes permissible for all.