Shloka 4
अथवा मनस: सड़ू पश्येद् भूतानुकम्पया । तत्राप्युपेक्षां कुर्वीत ज्ञात्वा कर्मफलं जगत्,अथवा प्राणियोंपर दया करते रहनेसे भी मोहवश उनके प्रति मनमें आसक्ति हो जाती है। इस बातपर दृष्टिपात करे और यह समझकर कि सारा जगत् अपने-अपने कर्मोंका फल भोग रहा है, सबके प्रति उपेक्षाभाव रखे
athavā manasaḥ saṅgaṃ paśyed bhūtānukampayā | tatrāpy upekṣāṃ kurvīta jñātvā karmaphalaṃ jagat ||
Bhishma said: Alternatively, if through compassion for living beings one notices attachment arising in the mind, even there one should cultivate detachment. Understanding that the world is experiencing the results of its own actions, one should maintain an attitude of equanimous non-interference toward all.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Compassion can unintentionally generate attachment; therefore one should practice upekṣā (equanimous detachment) by remembering that beings undergo the results of their own karma, and thus avoid possessive involvement.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on dharma and liberation, Bhishma advises the listener on inner discipline: even virtuous emotions like compassion should be watched, and if they become binding attachment, one should return to equanimity grounded in the doctrine of karma.