Shloka 123
प्राणमात्रबला ये वै नैव ते बलिनो मता: । “मैं बलमें तुमसे बहुत बढ़-चढ़कर हूँ; अतः मुझे तुमसे भय नहीं मानना चाहिये। जो बुद्धिके बली होते हैं, वे ही बलिष्ठ माने जाते हैं। जिनमें केवल शारीरिक बल होता है, वे वास्तवमें बलवान् नहीं समझे जाते”
prāṇamātrabalā ye vai naiva te balino matāḥ |
Bhīṣma teaches that those whose strength is merely the power to sustain life—mere bodily force—are not truly regarded as strong. Real strength is measured by the power of understanding and discernment; therefore one should not be overawed by physical might alone, nor boast of it as the basis of fearlessness.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Physical power alone is not true strength; genuine strength lies in buddhi—discernment, judgment, and self-control—so one should value wisdom over mere bodily might.
In Śānti Parva, Bhīṣma is instructing the listener on ethical governance and conduct, emphasizing that intimidation or pride based on physical force is misguided because real superiority is grounded in intelligence and right understanding.