Shloka 17
Durgātitaraṇa—Conduct for Crossing Difficulties (दुर्गातितरणम्)
परश्रिया न तप्यन्ति ये सन्त: पुरुषर्षभा: । ग्राम्यादर्थ न्निवृत्ताश्व दुर्गण्यतितरन्ति ते
paraśriyā na tapyanti ye santaḥ puruṣarṣabhāḥ | grāmyād arthān nivṛttāś ca durgāṇy atitaranti te ||
Bhishma said: Those good and noble men do not burn with envy at another’s prosperity. Turning away from vulgar, village-born pursuits and petty gains, they cross over even difficult passages—hard trials and perilous straits—by the strength of their self-restraint and virtue.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The virtuous do not envy others’ success; by withdrawing from coarse, petty worldly pursuits and cultivating restraint, they can overcome even severe hardships.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on dharma, Bhishma continues advising on ethical conduct, praising the character of the good—especially their freedom from envy and their ability to endure and transcend difficulties.