Shloka 7
जनकस्य युद्धोपदेशः — Janaka’s Instruction on Steadfast Battle-Conduct
त्यागमूलं हि शूराणां स्वर्गद्वारमनुत्तमम् । इत्युक्तास्ते नृपतिना योधा: परपुरंजय
tyāgamūlaṃ hi śūrāṇāṃ svargadvāram anuttamam | ity uktās te nṛpatinā yodhāḥ parapuraṃjayāḥ |
Bhishma said: “For the heroic, the unsurpassed gate to heaven is rooted in renunciation—self-sacrifice.” Thus addressed by the king, those warriors—conquerors of enemy cities—took the exhortation to heart, heightened their sovereign’s joy on the battlefield, and won victory over his foes. Therefore, a resolute man should stand firm at the very mouth of battle, unwavering in duty.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches that for true heroes, the highest spiritual reward (the ‘gate to heaven’) is grounded in tyāga—self-sacrifice and renunciation of personal gain. Valor is ethically meaningful when it is rooted in giving oneself for dharma and the rightful cause.
Bhishma recounts how a king (identified here with Janaka) exhorts his warriors that their path to the highest heavenly attainment lies in self-sacrifice. Inspired, the warriors fight with renewed spirit, delight their ruler by their steadfastness, and achieve victory over the enemy.