Shloka 19
Kṣātra-dharma in Campaign and Battle: Protection, Purification, and the Ideal Warrior’s End (क्षात्रधर्मः—अभियानयुद्धे रक्षणदानशुद्धिः)
पतत्यभिमुख: शूर: परान् भीरु: पलायते । आस्थाय स्वर्ग्यमध्वानं सहायान् विषमे त्यजेत्
pataty abhimukhaḥ śūraḥ parān bhīruḥ palāyate | āsthāya svargyam adhvānaṃ sahāyān viṣame tyajet ||
Wika ni Bhishma: “Ang matapang ay sumusugod nang tuwiran sa harap ng kaaway, samantalang ang duwag ay tumatakas. At kahit pa siya’y naglakad na sa ‘landas na patungo sa langit’—ang landas ng tungkuling bayani—ang gayong duwag ay iniiwan ang kanyang mga kasama sa gitna mismo ng panganib.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
True valor is not only facing the enemy but also remaining steadfast with one’s companions; cowardice is shown both in fleeing and in abandoning allies at the moment of crisis.
In Bhishma’s instruction on conduct and duty, he contrasts the behavior of a brave warrior who advances toward the foe with that of a coward who retreats and even deserts his comrades despite claiming the merit of a ‘heavenward’ heroic path.