Shloka 9
Āśrama-dharma: Duties of the Four Life-Stages (आश्रमधर्मः)
दममेव महाराज धर्ममाहु: पुरातनम् । स्वाध्यायाभ्यसनं चैव तत्र कर्म समाप्यते,महाराज! इन्द्रिय-संयमको ब्राह्मणोंका प्राचीन धर्म बताया गया है। इसके सिवा, उन्हें सदा वेद-शास्त्रोंका स्वाध्याय करना चाहिये; क्योंकि इसीसे उनके सब कर्मोकी पूर्ति हो जाती है
dama eva mahārāja dharmam āhuḥ purātanam | svādhyāyābhyasanaṃ caiva tatra karma samāpyate ||
قال بهيشما: «أيها الملك العظيم، إن كبح النفس وضبط الحواس (dama) وحده يُعلَن دارما قديمة. ومعه تُؤمَر المداومة على الدراسة المقدسة (svādhyāya)، إذ بها تكتمل واجبات البراهمن.»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches that the foundation of ancient dharma is dama—mastery over the senses and mind—and that regular svādhyāya (disciplined study/recitation of sacred texts) completes and perfects one’s prescribed duties.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction section, Bhīṣma advises the king on righteous conduct, emphasizing inner discipline and scriptural study as central pillars of a Brahmin’s life and as universally stabilizing virtues after the turmoil of war.