Shloka 38
Bhīṣma’s Yogic Departure, Royal Cremation, and Gaṅgā’s Lament (भीष्मस्य योगयुक्त्या देहत्यागः, पितृमेधः, गङ्गाविलापः)
अप्येवात्मवध॑ लोके राजंस्त्वं बहु मन्यसे । न हि प्रतिज्ञा या दत्ता तां प्रहातुमरिंदम,राजन! तुम इस संसारमें अपनी हत्या कर लेनेको ही अधिक महत्त्व दे रहे हो। शत्रुदमन! जो प्रतिज्ञा तुमने कर ली है, उसे मिटा देना तुम्हारे लिये उचित नहीं है (तुमने शत्रुओंको जीतकर न्यायपूर्वक प्रजापालनका व्रत लिया है। अब शोकवश आत्महत्याका विचार मनमें लाकर तुम उस व्रतसे गिर रहे हो, यह ठीक नहीं है)
apy evātmavadhaṁ loke rājan tvaṁ bahu manyase | na hi pratijñā yā dattā tāṁ prahātum arindama ||
Bhishma said: “O King, do you truly regard self-destruction in this world as the greater course? A vow once given should not be abandoned, O subduer of foes. You have undertaken the duty of conquering your enemies and ruling your subjects with justice; to let grief drive you toward suicide is to fall away from that righteous resolve.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A solemn vow (pratijñā) binds ethically; abandoning it out of grief—especially by choosing suicide—is presented as a fall from dharma, particularly for a ruler whose duty is just protection and governance.
Bhishma addresses a king who is contemplating self-destruction due to sorrow. He rebukes the idea and urges the king to uphold his pledged duty of righteous rule rather than renounce it in despair.