Shloka 109
Dama-pradhāna-dharma (Self-restraint as the Root of Dharma) — Śānti-parva 154
शोकदैन्यसमाविष्टा रुदन्तस्तस्थिरे तदा । स्वकार्यकुशलाभ्यां ते सम्भ्राम्यन्ते ह नैपुणात्
śoka-dainya-samāviṣṭā rudantas tasthire tadā | sva-kārya-kuśalābhyāṃ te sambhrāmyante ha naipuṇāt ||
ভীষ্ম বললেন—শোক ও দীনতায় আচ্ছন্ন হয়ে তারা তখন কাঁদতে কাঁদতে সেখানেই থমকে দাঁড়াল। নিজেদের স্বার্থসিদ্ধিতে দক্ষ ওই দু’জনের কৌশলে তারা বিভ্রান্ত হয়ে পড়ল।
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Grief and dejection can paralyze even capable people; emotional overwhelm makes one vulnerable to being misled by others’ cleverness. Ethical steadiness and clarity of mind are implied prerequisites for right action (dharma).
A group, overcome by sorrow, stands weeping and immobilized. Despite their practical competence, they are driven into confusion by another party’s superior craftiness, indicating how psychological distress can be exploited.