Shloka 65
Drupada’s Alarm and Inquiry Regarding Śikhaṇḍinī (द्रुपदस्य भय-विमर्शः)
नाहमेनं धनुष्पा्िं युयुत्सुं समुपस्थितम् । मुहूर्तमपि पश्येय॑ प्रहरेयं न चाप्युत,जब यह हाथमें धनुष लेकर युद्ध करनेकी इच्छासे मेरे सामने उपस्थित होगा, उस समय मुहूर्तभर भी न तो इसकी ओर देखूँगा और न इसपर प्रहार ही करूँगा
nāham enaṃ dhanuṣpāṇiṃ yuyutsuṃ samupasthitam | muhūrtam api paśyeyaṃ prahareyaṃ na cāpy uta ||
جب وہ کمان ہاتھ میں لیے، جنگ کی خواہش سے میرے سامنے آئے گا، تو میں ایک لمحہ بھی اس کی طرف نہ دیکھوں گا اور نہ ہی اس پر وار کروں گا۔
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in war, ethical restraint can override the impulse to retaliate: Bhīṣma declares a deliberate refusal to engage—neither looking at nor striking—when a particular opponent approaches ready to fight, indicating a vow-bound or conscience-bound limit within kṣatriya conduct.
In the Udyoga Parva’s pre-war deliberations, Bhīṣma states to others that if that person comes before him armed with a bow and intent on battle, he will not respond as a combatant—he will neither meet the gaze nor deliver a blow—signaling a specific exemption or pledge amid the coming conflict.