मानसं सर्वभूतानां धर्ममाहुर्मनीषिण: । तस्मात् सर्वाणि भूतानि धर्ममेव समासते,मनीषी पुरुष धर्मको समस्त प्राणियोंका हृदय कहते हैं। अतः समस्त प्राणियोंको धर्मका ही आश्रय लेना चाहिये
mānasaṃ sarvabhūtānāṃ dharmam āhur manīṣiṇaḥ | tasmāt sarvāṇi bhūtāni dharmam eva samāśrate ||
Bhishma said: The wise declare that dharma is the very mind and inner core of all beings. Therefore, every creature ought to take refuge in dharma alone—making it the ground of thought, choice, and conduct.
भीष्म उवाच
Dharma is presented not merely as external rule but as the inner principle shaping the mind and intentions of all beings; hence one should rely on dharma as the primary guide for thought and action.
In Anushasana Parva, Bhishma continues his instruction on righteous conduct, emphasizing to his listener(s) that dharma is the fundamental inner support for all living beings and should be taken as one’s refuge.