Shloka 8
Brāhmaṇa-mahattva and Atithi-Dharma
Brahmagītā: Praise of Brāhmaṇas and norms of honor
मत्सकाशमनुप्राप्तं न त्वां कश्चित् समुत्सहेत् । मनसा ग्रहणं कर्तु रक्षाध्यक्षपुरस्कृतम्,“अब तू मेरे पास आ गया है; अतः रक्षाध्यक्षके सामने है। यहाँ तुझे कोई मनसे भी पकड़नेका साहस नहीं कर सकता
matsakāśam anuprāptaṃ na tvāṃ kaścit samutsahet | manasā grahaṇaṃ kartuṃ rakṣādhyakṣa-puraskṛtam ||
Bhīṣma nói: “Nay ngươi đã đến trước mặt ta; vì thế không ai dám bắt ngươi—dẫu chỉ trong ý nghĩ—bởi ngươi đang ở dưới sự che chở và ngay trước mắt vị chỉ huy cấm vệ. Ở đây ngươi được an toàn.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the dharmic idea of assured protection: once someone has entered a legitimate sphere of refuge and oversight, others should not attempt harm or coercion—even mentally. Authority is presented as a safeguard that restrains private aggression.
Bhishma addresses someone who has come to him for safety or audience, declaring that in his vicinity—especially under the watch of the chief of guards—no one will dare to seize or detain that person, not even by forming such an intention.