Shloka 12
त्रिवर्गविचारः
Tri-varga Deliberation: Dharma, Artha, Kāma
सुखं दान्त: प्रस्वपिति सुखं च प्रतिबुध्यते । सुखं पर्येति लोकांश्व मनश्नास्य प्रसीदति,जिसने अपने मन और इन्द्रियोंका दमन कर लिया है, वह सुखसे सोता, सुखसे ही जागता और सुखपूर्वक ही लोकोंमें विचरता है। उसका मन सदा प्रसन्न रहता है
sukhaṃ dāntaḥ prasvapiti sukhaṃ ca pratibudhyate | sukhaṃ paryeti lokāṃś ca manaś cāsya prasīdati ||
Bhishma said: “One who has mastered the mind and restrained the senses sleeps in happiness and awakens in happiness. Moving through the worlds as well, he proceeds with ease; his mind remains continually serene and content.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Happiness becomes steady when one practices dama—restraint of the senses and mastery of the mind. Such a person’s well-being is not dependent on external gains or losses; it expresses itself naturally in sleep, waking, and daily movement through life.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on dharma and right conduct, Bhishma continues advising on the qualities of a disciplined person. This verse highlights the observable fruit of self-control: a calm, satisfied mind across all ordinary states—sleep, waking, and worldly activity.