Shloka 17
Adhyāya 119: Vyāsa–Kīṭa-saṃvāda
Tapas-bala and karmic ascent across yoni
दुष्करं च रसज्ञाने मांसस्य परिवर्जनम् | चर्तु व्रतमिदं श्रेष्ठ सर्वप्राण्यभयप्रदम्
Bhīṣma uvāca: duṣkaraṁ ca rasajñāne māṁsasya parivarjanam | catur-vratam idaṁ śreṣṭhaṁ sarva-prāṇy-abhaya-pradam ||
Bhīṣma sprach: Wer den Geschmack des Fleisches kennengelernt und genossen hat, dem ist der Verzicht darauf wahrlich schwer. Doch dieses vierfache Gelübde ist das höchste, denn es schenkt allen Lebewesen Furchtlosigkeit.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even if abstaining from meat is difficult for someone accustomed to its taste, the ethical ideal is to undertake the highest discipline that ensures non-harm—granting safety and fearlessness to all living beings.
In the Anushasana Parva’s dharma-instruction setting, Bhishma continues advising on righteous conduct, emphasizing the moral excellence of vows grounded in ahimsa and the challenge of overcoming sensory attachment.