Shloka 15
ब्राह्मणस्य पूर्वतरा वृत्तिः — The Earlier Ideal Conduct of a Brahmana
River-of-Saṃsāra Metaphor
शत्रुभिर्वशमानीतो हीन: स्थानादनुत्तमात् | वैरोचने किमाश्रित्य शोचितव्ये न शोचसि
śatrubhir vaśamānīto hīnaḥ sthānād anuttamāt | vairocane kim āśritya śocitavye na śocasi ||
হে বিরোচনের পুত্র! শত্রুদের বশে পড়ে তুমি অতুল্য রাজ্যপদ থেকে পতিত হয়েছ; এমন শোকযোগ্য অবস্থায়ও কোন আশ্রয়-শক্তিতে তুমি শোক করছ না?
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse probes the basis of inner steadiness: when external power and status are lost and one is subjugated, true strength is shown by the support one relies on—such as discernment, dharma, or self-control—rather than being swept away by grief.
Bhishma addresses a figure called “Vairocana” (son/descendant of Virocana), noting that he has been overcome by enemies and fallen from a supreme position. Bhishma challenges him: despite being in a lamentable state, what inner refuge or power enables him not to mourn?