Shloka 95
तीर्थवंशोपदेशः
Tīrtha-vaṃśa Upadeśa: Instruction on the Fruits of Sacred Waters
अपराधिषु सस्नेहा मृदवो मृदुवत्सला: । आराधनसुखाश्षापि पुरुषा: स्वर्गगामिन:
aparādhiṣu sasnehā mṛdavo mṛduvatsalāḥ | ārādhanasukhaś cāpi puruṣāḥ svargagāminaḥ ||
Bhīṣma said: Men who remain affectionate even toward offenders, whose nature is gentle, who cherish those of gentle disposition, and who find their happiness in honoring and serving others—such people attain heaven.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Compassion even toward wrongdoers, a gentle temperament, affection for the gentle, and joy in serving others are presented as dharmic qualities that generate spiritual merit and lead to a higher posthumous state (svarga).
In the Anuśāsana Parva’s instruction section, Bhīṣma continues advising on righteous conduct, listing virtues and their fruits; here he states that tenderness, mercy, and delight in respectful service are marks of the virtuous who attain heaven.