Shloka 24
Go-dāna-phala-nirdeśa
Merit and Destinations from the Gift of Cows
सांख्यशूराश्व॒ बहवो योगशूरास्तथापरे । अरण्ये गृहवासे च त्यागे शूरास्तथापरे,बहुत-से मनुष्य सांख्यशूर, योगशूर, वनवासशूर, गृहवासशूर तथा त्यागशूर हैं
sāṅkhyaśūrāś ca bahavo yogaśūrās tathāpare | araṇye gṛhavāse ca tyāge śūrās tathāpare ||
Bhīṣma sprach: „Viele sind tapfer auf dem Pfad des Sāṅkhya, andere sind tapfer im Yoga. Manche zeigen ihr Heldentum im Leben im Wald, manche im Leben als Haushälter, und wieder andere im Heldentum der Entsagung.“
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhīṣma broadens the idea of ‘śaurya’ (heroism): true valor can be the steadfast pursuit of knowledge (Sāṅkhya), disciplined practice (Yoga), faithful forest-ascetic living, responsible householdership, or sincere renunciation. Dharma is not one uniform lifestyle; excellence and integrity within one’s chosen path are praised.
In Anuśāsana Parva, Bhīṣma instructs on dharma and right conduct. Here he classifies different kinds of ‘heroes’—those who excel in philosophical discernment, yogic discipline, forest-dwelling austerity, household duties, and renunciation—affirming multiple legitimate spiritual and ethical modes of life.