Shloka 23
Nirmaryāda-saṃgrāma-varṇana — The Unbounded Clash and Bhīṣma’s Rallying Presence
सम्बन्ध-- जो उपर्युक्त दैवीसम्पदाका आचरण न करके अपनी मान्यताके अनुसार कर्म करता है, वह परमगतिको प्राप्त होता है या नहीं? इसपर कहते हैं-- यः शास्त्रविधिमुत्सृज्य वर्तते कामकारत: । न स सिद्धिमवाप्रोति न सुखं न परां गतिम्,जो पुरुष शास्त्रविधिको त्यागकर अपनी इच्छासे मनमाना आचरण करता है, वह न सिद्धिको प्राप्त होता है, न परमगतिको और न सुखको ही
yaḥ śāstravidhim utsṛjya vartate kāmakārataḥ | na sa siddhim avāpnoti na sukhaṁ na parāṁ gatim ||
Whoever casts aside the discipline laid down by the śāstras and acts according to mere personal desire does not attain true accomplishment; he gains neither happiness nor the highest goal.
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Abandoning śāstric injunctions and acting from desire alone leads to failure in the deepest sense: no true siddhi (right attainment), no stable sukha (well-being), and no parā gati (highest end). The verse frames dharma as a necessary compass for meaningful freedom and lasting good.
In the Bhīṣma Parva’s battlefield discourse, the teaching contrasts disciplined, dharma-aligned conduct with impulsive, desire-driven action. The verse functions as a moral criterion: conduct must be guided by śāstra/dharma rather than personal whim to reach the highest human aims.