Droṇa–Vidura–Gāndhārī Counsel in the Royal Assembly (धर्मार्थयुक्ता सभा-उपदेश-प्रकरणम्)
भीष्म उवाच प्रजानां क्रोशतीनां वै नैवाक्षुभ्यत मे मन: । प्रतिज्ञां रक्षमाणस्य सद् वृत्तं स्मरतस्तथा
bhīṣma uvāca prajānāṁ krośatīnāṁ vai naivākṣubhyata me manaḥ | pratijñāṁ rakṣamāṇasya sadvṛttaṁ smaratastathā ||
ভীষ্ম বললেন—প্রজাদের করুণ আর্তনাদ শুনেও আমার মন একটুও বিচলিত হল না; কারণ আমি প্রতিজ্ঞা রক্ষায় নিবদ্ধ ছিলাম এবং সদাচারের স্মৃতি দৃঢ়ভাবে ধারণ করেছিলাম।
भीष्म उवाच
Steadfastness in a solemn vow, supported by constant remembrance of righteous conduct (sadvṛtta), can keep the mind unshaken even amid intense public distress; it highlights inner discipline and commitment to dharma as a stabilizing force.
Bhishma reflects on a moment when the people lamented loudly; despite their cries, he says his mind did not become disturbed because he was focused on preserving his pledge and recalling the standards of proper conduct.