Shloka 102
Śaraṇāgata-Atithi-Dharma in the Kapota Narrative (कपोत-आख्यानम्—शरणागतधर्मः)
तस्मात् कौन्तेय विदुषा धर्माधर्मविनिश्चये | बुद्धिमास्थाय लोके5स्मिन् वर्तितव्यं कृतात्मना,अतः कुन्तीनन्दन! अपने मनको वशमें रखनेवाले विद्वान् पुरुषको चाहिये कि वह इस जगत्में धर्म और अधर्मका निर्णय करनेके लिये अपनी ही विशुद्ध बुद्धिका आश्रय लेकर यथायोग्य बर्ताव करे
tasmāt kaunteya viduṣā dharmādharmaviniścaye | buddhim āsthāya loke 'smin vartitavyaṃ kṛtātmanā ||
Therefore, O son of Kuntī, when one must decide between dharma and adharma, a wise person—self-controlled and inwardly disciplined—should rely on one’s own purified discernment and conduct oneself in this world in the manner that is truly fitting.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
When faced with uncertainty about what is dharma versus adharma, one should not act impulsively or merely imitate others; a wise, self-governed person should rely on clear, purified discernment (buddhi) and then act appropriately in the world.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction to Yudhiṣṭhira, Bhīṣma continues his ethical counsel after the war, emphasizing practical moral reasoning: disciplined inner control and sound judgment are necessary to decide right action amid complex situations.