Shloka 15
ये च संशान्तरजस: संशान्ततमसश्ष ये । सत्त्वे स्थिता महात्मानो दुर्गाण्यतितरन्ति ते,जिनके रजोगुण और तमोगुण शान्त हो गये हों तथा जो विशुद्ध सत्त्वगुणमें स्थित हैं, वे महात्मा दुर्लघ्य संकटोंको भी लाँघ जाते हैं
ye ca saṁśānta-rajasaḥ saṁśānta-tamasaś ca ye | sattve sthitā mahātmāno durgāṇy atitaranti te ||
Bhishma said: Those in whom the turbulence of rajas has been stilled and the darkness of tamas has been quieted—those great-souled ones who abide in pure sattva—cross over even hard-to-pass dangers and crises.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
When rajas (restless passion) and tamas (deluding inertia) are pacified and one is established in sattva (clarity and purity), a person gains the inner steadiness needed to overcome even severe external difficulties. The verse links ethical-spiritual refinement with practical strength in adversity.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction section, Bhishma is advising on dharma and the cultivation of inner qualities. Here he highlights the transformative effect of mastering the guṇas: the sattvic, purified-minded ‘mahātmā’ can cross formidable dangers that would overwhelm an unsteady mind.