Shloka 13
Devaśarmā–Vipula Dialogue on Ahorātra–Ṛtu as Moral Witnesses (अनुशासन पर्व, अध्याय ४३)
नतासां रक्षणं शक््यं कर्तु पुंसां कथंचन
natāsāṃ rakṣaṇaṃ śakyaṃ kartuṃ puṃsāṃ kathaṃcana
بھیشم نے کہا—جو لوگ پناہ لے کر پوری طرح دوسرے کی نگہداشت پر منحصر ہو جائیں، اُن کی حفاظت مردوں کے لیے کسی بھی طرح یقینی طور پر ممکن نہیں؛ اس لیے غرور نہیں بلکہ عاجزی، ہوشیاری اور جواب دہی کے احساس کے ساتھ عمل کرنا چاہیے۔
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma emphasizes that guaranteeing the safety of those who surrender and become dependent is not fully within human control; therefore, one must avoid arrogance, recognize limits, and treat the duty of protection as a grave moral responsibility requiring constant care.
In the Anushasana Parva’s instruction on dharma, Bhishma is speaking in a didactic mode, reflecting on the practical and ethical realities of protection and guardianship—especially the heavy burden incurred when others entrust their safety to someone.