Shloka 51
बक-गौतमाख्यानम् / The Baka–Gautama Account
On Gratitude and Friendship Ethics
सम्प्रगृह्म तु निस्त्रिंशं कालाग्निसमवर्चसम् | त्रिकूटं चर्म चोद्यम्य सविद्युतमिवाम्बुदम् । चचार विविधान् मार्गान् महाबलपराक्रम:
sampragṛhya tu nistriṁśaṁ kālāgnisamavarcasam | trikūṭaṁ carma codyamya savidyutam ivāmbudam | cacāra vividhān mārgān mahābalaparākramaḥ ||
毗湿摩说道：“他握起宝剑，炽烈如劫时之火；又举起三棱之盾，宛若夹带电光的雷云。那位力大勇猛的战士循着种种路径与步法行进——以可怖的力量与威势推进。”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the awe-inspiring force of a warrior’s preparedness—weapon in hand and shield raised—suggesting that power, when disciplined and directed, becomes effective action. In the broader Shanti Parva setting, such martial imagery often serves to contrast raw might with the higher ethical demand that strength be governed by dharma.
Bhishma describes a powerful warrior arming himself: he grips a sword compared to the blazing fire of Time and lifts a triple-crested shield likened to a lightning-filled cloud. Thus equipped, the warrior advances through various routes, moving with great strength and valor.