Shloka 13
Durgātitaraṇa—Conduct for Crossing Difficulties (दुर्गातितरणम्)
जिनके शुभ कर्म दिखावेके लिये नहीं होते, जो सदा मीठे वचन बोलते और जिनका धन सत्कर्मोके लिये बँधा हुआ है, वे दुर्गण संकटोंसे पार हो जाते हैं ।। अनध्यायेषु ये विप्रा: स्वाध्यायं नेह कुर्वते । तपोनिष्ठा: सुतपसो दुर्गाण्यतितरन्ति ते,जो अनध्यायके अवसरोंपर वेदोंका स्वाध्याय नहीं करते और तपस्यामें ही लगे रहते हैं, वे उत्तम तपस्वी ब्राह्मण दुस्तर विपत्तिसे छुटकारा पा जाते हैं
bhīṣma uvāca | anadhyāyeṣu ye viprāḥ svādhyāyaṃ neha kurvate | taponiṣṭhāḥ sutapaso durgāṇy atitaranti te ||
Bhishma said: Those Brahmins who, on days when Vedic study is traditionally suspended, do not engage in recitation here, but remain firmly devoted to austerity—such accomplished ascetics cross over formidable dangers. The teaching praises sincerity and disciplined restraint: when one’s conduct is not for display and one’s energies are bound to righteous practice, even hard-to-cross crises are overcome.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches that disciplined restraint and sincere austerity protect a person in times of danger. Specifically, it commends Brahmins who respect the rule of anadhyāya (not reciting the Veda at prohibited times) and instead remain devoted to tapas; such integrity and self-control help one overcome severe crises.
In the Śānti Parva, Bhishma instructs Yudhishthira on dharma and right conduct. Here he highlights a model of Brahmin discipline—observing proper times for Vedic recitation and maintaining austerity—presenting it as a cause for safely passing through hardships.