Shloka 12
भीष्मकृतः पाण्डवपक्ष-महारथ-प्रशंसा
Bhishma’s appraisal of Pandava-aligned chariot-warriors
मर्षयामि च तत् सर्व दुर्योधनकृतेन वै । त्वं तु मां मन्यसे मन्दं यथा कापुरुषं तथा,“मैं दुर्योधनके कारण यह सब कुछ चुपचाप सह लेता हूँ, परंतु तुम मुझे मूर्ख और कायरके समान समझते हो
marṣayāmi ca tat sarvaṁ duryodhana-kṛtena vai | tvaṁ tu māṁ manyase mandaṁ yathā kāpuruṣaṁ tathā ||
Karṇa nói: “Vì Duryodhana, ta lặng lẽ chịu đựng tất cả. Thế nhưng người lại cho ta là kẻ ngu muội—thậm chí coi ta như một kẻ hèn nhát.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical tension between patient forbearance and perceived weakness: Bhishma endures humiliation or wrongdoing out of loyalty/obligation connected to Duryodhana, yet others misread this restraint as foolishness and cowardice. It raises the question of when endurance is dharmic self-control and when it is mistaken for moral failure.
Bhishma responds to a reproach or suspicion directed at him. He explains that his silence and tolerance are deliberate—borne for Duryodhana’s sake—while lamenting that the other party interprets his restraint as stupidity and cowardice.