Shloka 4
Pātra-Lakṣaṇa and Niścita-Dharma
Marks of a Worthy Recipient and Stable Criteria of Dharma
जिज्ञासेयं प्रयुक्ता मे स्थिरीकर्तु तवानघ । अव्युत्थानेन ते लोका जिता: सत्यपराक्रम
jijñāseyaṁ prayuktā me sthirīkartu tavānagha | avyutthānena te lokā jitāḥ satyaparākrama ||
Sie sprach: „O Makelloser, ich tat dies nur, um dich zu prüfen und dich standhaft zu machen. O Zweimalgeborener, tapfer in der Wahrheit: Weil du nicht von deinem Entschluss aufgestanden bist und nicht von deinem Dharma abgewichen bist, hast du die Welten des Verdienstes errungen.“
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
True dharma is shown by steadiness under trial: when tested, one should not abandon one’s righteous resolve. Such unwavering conduct is portrayed as spiritually victorious—‘conquering’ meritorious realms.
Bhishma reveals that his earlier action was deliberate—meant to examine and strengthen the person addressed (a blameless, truth-valiant Brahmin). He praises him for not wavering and declares that this steadfastness has earned him the highest पुण्यलोक (realms of merit).