Shloka 13
संधेयासंधेय-पुरुषनिर्णयः (Criteria for Allies and Non-Allies) — with the opening of the Gautama narrative
इमानीष्टविभागानि फलानि तपस: सदा । तपसा शक्यते प्राप्तुं देवत्वमपि निश्चयात्,ये जो भिन्न-भिन्न अभीष्ट फल कहे गये हैं, वे सब सदा तपस्यासे ही सुलभ होते हैं। तपस्यासे निश्चय ही देवत्व भी प्राप्त किया जा सकता है
bhīṣma uvāca | imānīṣṭa-vibhāgāni phalāni tapasaḥ sadā | tapasā śakyate prāptuṃ devatvam api niścayāt ||
Bhishma said: “All these variously distinguished desired results are always attainable through austerity (tapas). Indeed, by austerity one can certainly attain even divine status.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Tapas (austerity and disciplined self-restraint) is presented as a reliable means to attain a wide range of desired outcomes, including the highest spiritual elevation—devatva (divine status). The ethical emphasis is on inner discipline as the foundation of power and merit.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on dharma and right conduct, Bhishma continues advising Yudhishthira by highlighting the efficacy of tapas: whatever differentiated goals people seek, they become attainable through sustained ascetic discipline.