Shloka 4
Adhyāya 222 — ब्रह्मस्थानप्राप्ति: मोक्षधर्मे समत्वव्रतम्
Attaining the Brahman-Station: The Vow of Equanimity in Mokṣadharma
असक्तं धूतपाप्मानं कुले जातं बहुश्रुतम् । अस्तब्धमनहड्कारं सत्त्वस्थं समये रतम्
bhīṣma uvāca | asaktaṃ dhūtapāpmānaṃ kule jātaṃ bahuśrutam | astabdham anahaṅkāraṃ sattvasthaṃ samaye ratam ||
Bhishma said: “Prahlāda was unattached, his sins washed away. Born in a noble lineage and learned in sacred lore, he was free from arrogance and ego. Established in purity (sattva), he delighted in living within the bounds of dharma and proper conduct.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
True excellence is defined by inner qualities: detachment from sense-objects and results, purification of conduct, humility without ego, and steady commitment to dharmic discipline. Learning and noble birth are praised only when joined to self-restraint and purity (sattva).
Bhishma is describing Prahlada’s character as an exemplar of virtue—unattached, purified, learned, humble, and devoted to righteous conduct—setting the ethical tone for the surrounding instruction in Shanti Parva.