Shloka 12
Bhīṣma’s Retrospective of the Jāmadagnya Rāma Encounter
Divyāstra-Pratiyuddha and Twilight Cessation
ततो<पश्यं पतितो राजसिंहं द्विजानष्टौ सूर्यहुताशना भान् । ते मां समन्तात् परिवार्य तस्थु: स्वबाहुभि: परिधार्याजिमध्ये
tato ’paśyaṁ patito rājasiṁhaṁ dvijān aṣṭau sūryahutāśanābhān | te māṁ samantāt parivārya tasthuḥ svabāhubhiḥ paridhāryājimadhye ||
“Pagkaraan, O leon sa mga hari, habang ako’y bumabagsak, nakita ko ang walong brāhmaṇa na nagliliwanag na gaya ng Araw at ng Apoy. Sa gitna ng larangan, pinalibutan nila ako sa lahat ng panig, at sa sarili nilang mga bisig ay inakay at inalalayan ang aking katawan.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in the chaos of war, dharmic and spiritual forces are portrayed as capable of protection; the brahmins’ radiance and support symbolize the safeguarding power of merit, sanctity, and righteous order surrounding a great warrior at a critical moment.
Bhishma describes a moment of falling on the battlefield and seeing eight brahmins, blazing like the Sun and Fire, who encircle him and physically support him with their arms in the middle of combat.