Shloka 68
Chapter 2: Sudarśana Upākhyāna — Atithi-Dharma and the Conquest of Mṛtyu
Gṛhastha-Vrata
सुदर्शनस्तु मनसा कर्मणा चक्षुषा गिरा । त्यक्तेर्ष्यस्त्यक्तमन्युश्व॒ स्मयमानो<5ब्रवीदिदम्,परंतु सुदर्शन मन, वाणी, नेत्र और क्रियासे भी ईर्ष्या तथा क्रोधका त्याग कर चुके थे। वे हँसते-हँसते यों बोले--
sudarśanas tu manasā karmaṇā cakṣuṣā girā | tyakterṣyas tyaktamanyuś ca smayamāno 'bravīd idam ||
Bhīṣma said: Sudarshana—having cast off envy and anger not only in thought but also in deed, in his gaze, and in speech—smiled and then spoke these words.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches integrated self-restraint: true ethical refinement is not merely internal (mind) but must be consistent across action, perception (how one looks at others), and speech. Abandoning envy and anger is presented as a prerequisite for wise and constructive discourse.
Bhishma describes Sudarshana’s demeanor before he speaks: he is free from envy and anger in mind, deed, gaze, and words, and he smiles as he begins his reply. The verse functions as a character-introduction that frames the forthcoming speech as calm, disciplined, and dharmic.