Shloka 13
Adhyāya 164: Gautama as Guest; Kaśyapa’s Satkāra and the Fourfold Arthagati; Journey to Virūpākṣa
प्रीत्या शोक: प्रभवति वियोगात् तस्य देहिनः । यदा निरर्थकं वेत्ति तदा सद्यः प्रणश्यति,जिसपर प्रेम हो, उस प्राणीके वियोगसे शोक प्रकट होता है। परंतु जब मनुष्य यह समझ ले कि शोक व्यर्थ है--उससे कोई लाभ नहीं है तो तुरंत ही उस शोककी शान्ति हो जाती है
prītyā śokaḥ prabhavati viyogāt tasya dehinaḥ | yadā nirarthakaṃ vetti tadā sadyaḥ praṇaśyati ||
Bhīṣma said: From affection, sorrow arises when one is separated from the embodied being one loves. But when a person understands that grief is futile—bringing no real gain—then that sorrow is immediately dispelled.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Grief is born from affectionate attachment and separation; it subsides when one clearly recognizes its futility and lack of constructive outcome, cultivating discernment and steadiness of mind.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on right conduct and inner discipline, Bhīṣma teaches the listener that sorrow is a psychological effect of attachment to embodied beings and can be overcome through understanding and reflection.