Shloka 20
अध्याय २२० — बलिवासवसंवादः
Bali–Vāsava Dialogue on Kāla and Steadfastness
विक्रम्य घोरे तपसि ब्राह्मण: संशितव्रत: । कालाकाड्क्षी चरेललोकान् निरपाय इवात्मवान्,उनमें तो काम, क्रोध, लोभ, दूसरोंके प्रति डाह और अपनी झूठी प्रशंसा आदि दुर्गुण ही भरे रहते हैं; इसलिये उत्तम एवं कठोर व्रतका पालन करनेवाले ब्राह्णको चाहिये कि वह जितेन्द्रिय होकर काम और क्रोधको वशमें करे तथा ब्रह्मचर्यपालनपूर्वक उत्साहके साथ घोर तपस्यामें संलग्न हो जाय एवं मृत्युकालकी प्रतीक्षा करता हुआ विघ्न-बाधाओंसे रहित हो धैर्यपूर्वक सम्पूर्ण जगत्में विचरे
bhīṣma uvāca | vikramya ghore tapasi brāhmaṇaḥ saṃśitavrataḥ | kālākāṅkṣī carel lokān nirapāya ivātmavān |
Bhishma said: “Let a Brahmin, firm in well-honed vows, exert himself in severe austerity. With self-mastery, he should move through the worlds awaiting the destined time (of death), living as though beyond danger—steady, undistracted, and free from impediments.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma teaches that a disciplined Brahmin should commit to intense austerity with firm vows, cultivate self-mastery, and live steadily—moving through life without being shaken by obstacles—while calmly awaiting the inevitable end appointed by Time.
In the Shanti Parva’s dharma instruction, Bhishma is advising on the ideal conduct of a Brahmin/ascetic: rigorous tapas, unwavering observances, and fearless, untroubled wandering through the world with inner composure.