Shloka 8
स्त्रीस्वभावप्रश्नः — Nārada and Pañcacūḍā on Strī-svabhāva
Anuśāsana-parva 38
श्रीक्ष बुद्धिश्च तेजश्न विभूतिश्व॒ प्रतापिनी । स्वाध्याये चैव माहात्म्यं विपुलं प्रतिपत्स्यते
śrīkṣa buddhis ca tejaś ca vibhūtiś ca pratāpinī | svādhyāye caiva māhātmyaṃ vipulaṃ pratipatsyate ||
Bhīṣma said: “By faithfully upholding one’s own dharma, a person gains prosperity, clear intelligence, vigor, and a radiant, powerful eminence. Moreover, through self-study of sacred teaching (svādhyāya), one comes to realize its vast spiritual greatness—strengthening one’s character and ethical discernment.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Observing one’s own dharma brings both worldly excellence (prosperity, intelligence, vigor, influence) and inner growth; disciplined svādhyāya reveals the profound value and transformative power of sacred learning.
In the Anuśāsana Parva’s instruction section, Bhīṣma continues advising Yudhiṣṭhira on righteous conduct, emphasizing the tangible and spiritual fruits of living according to svadharma and engaging in svādhyāya.