Shloka 40
Dama-pradhāna-dharma (Self-restraint as the Root of Dharma) — Śānti-parva 154
शोकं त्यजत दैन्यं च सुतस्नेहान्निवर्तत । त्यज्यतामयमाकाशे तत:ः शीघ्र निवर्तत,शोक और दीनताको छोड़ो तथा पुत्रस्नेहोहे मनको हटा लो। इस बालकको इसी सूने स्थानमें छोड़ दो और शीघ्र लौट जाओ
śokaṃ tyajata dainyaṃ ca sutasnehān nivartata | tyajyatām ayam ākāśe tataḥ śīghraṃ nivartata ||
Bhīṣma said: “Abandon grief and despair, and withdraw your mind from attachment to your son. Leave this child here in this lonely place, and then return quickly.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma urges mastery over grief and dejection by consciously withdrawing from binding attachment (here, parental affection). The ethical thrust is that clear judgment and dharmic action require steadiness of mind rather than being driven by sorrow.
In Bhishma’s instruction within the Shanti Parva, he addresses people overwhelmed by sorrow over a child/son, telling them to stop lamenting, set aside despair, leave the child in the deserted place, and return promptly—an admonition emphasizing restraint and detachment in a difficult situation.