Shloka 19
Brāhmaṇa-mahattva and Atithi-Dharma
Brahmagītā: Praise of Brāhmaṇas and norms of honor
शरणागतं न त्यजेयमिति मे व्रतमाहितम् | न मुज्चति ममाड्नि द्विजो<यं पश्य वै द्विज,विहंगम! मैं शरणागतका त्याग नहीं कर सकता--यह मेरा व्रत है। देखो, यह पक्षी भयके मारे मेरे अंगोंको छोड़ नहीं रहा है
śaraṇāgataṃ na tyajeyam iti me vratam āhitam | na muñcati mamāṅgāni dvijo 'yaṃ paśya vai dvija-vihagāma ||
بھیشم نے کہا— “پناہ مانگنے والے کو میں ہرگز نہیں چھوڑوں گا—یہ میرا پختہ عہد ہے۔ دیکھو، یہ پرندہ خوف کے مارے میرے اعضا کو چھوڑ نہیں رہا۔”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse upholds śaraṇāgata-rakṣaṇa (protecting one who seeks refuge) as a binding ethical vow: dharma is shown not merely as theory but as a commitment that must be honored even under pressure.
Bhīṣma declares that he cannot abandon a frightened bird that has taken shelter with him; the bird clings to his body in fear, and Bhīṣma points this out as evidence of its dependence and his duty to protect it.