Shloka 25
ब्रह्मवीर्ये मृदुभूते क्षत्रवीर्ये च दुर्बले । दुष्टेषु सर्ववर्णेषु ब्राह्मणान् प्रति सर्वश:,जब ब्राह्मणकी शक्ति मन्द पड़ जाय, क्षत्रियका पराक्रम भी दुर्बल हो जाय और सभी वर्णोंके लोग सर्वथा ब्राह्मणोंसे दुर्भाव रखने लगें, उस समय जो लोग ब्राह्मणोंकी, धर्मकी तथा अपने आपकी रक्षाके लिये प्राणोंकी परवा न करके दुष्टोंके साथ क्रोधपूर्वक युद्ध करते हैं, उन मनस्वी पुरुषोंका पवित्र यश सब ओर फैल जाता है; क्योंकि ब्राह्मणोंकी रक्षाके लिये सबको शस्त्र ग्रहण करनेका अधिकार है
bhīṣma uvāca | brahmavīrye mṛdubhūte kṣatravīrye ca durbale | duṣṭeṣu sarvavarṇeṣu brāhmaṇān prati sarvaśaḥ |
جب برہمن کا برہمتَیج مدھم پڑ جائے، اور کشتریہ کی جنگی قوت بھی کمزور ہو جائے، اور سبھی ورنوں کے لوگ ہر طرف برہمنوں کے خلاف بدخواہی اختیار کر لیں—
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
When society’s moral and institutional supports collapse—Brahminical spiritual authority weakened, Kshatriya protection enfeebled, and general hostility toward the custodians of dharma—then defending the Brahmins and dharma becomes a universal duty. Those who courageously confront the wicked for this protection gain pure and widely spreading renown, and the text affirms that weapon-bearing is justified for all in such a defensive cause.
In Bhishma’s instruction on dharma in the Śānti Parva, he describes a crisis condition of social breakdown: spiritual leadership is ineffective, royal protection is weak, and widespread hostility targets the Brahmins. He then states the appropriate response—resolute persons should fight the wicked to protect Brahmins, dharma, and themselves—framing this as a legitimate and praiseworthy action.