Shloka 26
Go-dāna-phala-nirdeśa
Merit and Destinations from the Gift of Cows
गुरुशुश्रूषया शूरा: पितृशुश्रूषयापरे | मातृशुश्रूषया शूरा भैक्ष्यशूरास्तथापरे
bhīṣma uvāca |
guruśuśrūṣayā śūrāḥ pitṛśuśrūṣayāpare |
mātṛśuśrūṣayā śūrā bhaiṣyaśūrās tathāpare ||
Bhishma said: “Some are called heroes for their devoted service to the teacher; others for serving their father. Some display their valor through service to their mother, and others again are ‘heroes’ in living by alms. Thus, heroism is seen not only on the battlefield but also in disciplined, dutiful forms of conduct and self-restraint.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma broadens the idea of ‘heroism’ (śaurya): true valor can be expressed through disciplined duty—serving one’s teacher, parents, and even steadfastly maintaining a mendicant life—rather than only through physical combat.
In Anushasana Parva’s instruction on dharma, Bhishma is enumerating different kinds of ‘śūra’ (heroes), classifying people by the sphere in which they exhibit strength and excellence—especially through service and restraint.