Shloka 25
आपद्धर्मे वैश्यवृत्तिः, विक्रय-निषेधाः, तथा ब्रह्म-क्षत्र-सम्बन्धः
Emergency Livelihood, Prohibited Trade, and Brahman–Kshatra Regulation
ब्रह्मवीर्ये मृदुभूते क्षत्रवीर्ये च दुर्बले । दुष्टेषु सर्ववर्णेषु ब्राह्मणान् प्रति सर्वश:
bhīṣma uvāca | brahmavīrye mṛdubhūte kṣatravīrye ca durbale | duṣṭeṣu sarvavarṇeṣu brāhmaṇān prati sarvaśaḥ |
毗湿摩说道：“当婆罗门的梵力衰微，刹帝利的武勇亦复羸弱；当四姓之人皆趋于邪恶，处处对婆罗门怀怨结恨——在那样的时世，那些意志坚决之士，不顾自身性命，执兵器以正义之怒与恶人交战，为护持婆罗门、护持达摩并自卫者，必得清净之名，声誉传遍四方；因为为保卫婆罗门，众人皆被认可可以执持武器。”
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.