Shloka 21

Ānṛśaṃsya, Amātya-Guṇa, and Reconciliatory Counsel (आनृशंस्य–अमात्यगुण–संधि-उपदेशः)

Devanagari script

यथा ब्रूयान्महाप्राज्ञो यथा ब्रूयान्महाश्रुत: । श्रेयस्कामो यथा ब्रूयादुभयोरेव तत्‌ क्षमम्‌

Transliteration

yathā brūyān mahāprājño yathā brūyān mahāśrutaḥ | śreyaskāmo yathā brūyād ubhayor eva tat kṣamam ||

Translation

Bhīṣma said: “What you have spoken is the kind of speech a truly great intellect would utter, the kind a profoundly learned man would utter, and the kind a noble person—seeking the welfare of others—would offer as counsel. Such words are worthy of being accepted and upheld by us both.”

Word by Word

• {'yathā': 'as, in the manner that', 'brūyāt / brūyān': 'would speak

• should/ might say (optative sense)', 'mahāprājñaḥ': 'a person of great wisdom/intelligence', 'mahāśrutaḥ': 'one who is greatly learned

• well-versed in sacred and traditional learning', 'śreyas': 'the good

• the higher good', 'śreyaskāmaḥ': 'one who desires the good (especially others’ welfare)', 'ubhayor eva': 'of both indeed

• for both parties', 'tat': 'that (statement/teaching)', 'kṣamam': 'proper, fitting, acceptable

Speaker

भीष्म उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Bhīṣma

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

Bhīṣma affirms that counsel is most authoritative when it combines deep wisdom (prajñā), extensive learning (śruta), and a sincere intention for the welfare (śreyas) of others; such speech is fit to be accepted by all concerned.

What is happening in the narrative?

In the Śānti Parva’s instruction-setting, Bhīṣma responds to the other speaker’s words by praising them as exemplary—worthy of a wise, learned, and benevolent teacher—and declares them suitable for both parties to adopt.