Shloka 9
Brāhmaṇa-kṛtya, Āśrama-niyama, and Dāna-prasaṃsā
Duties of the Brāhmaṇa, āśrama discipline, and praise of giving
भवाभवीो त्वभिजानन् गरीयो ज्ञानाच्छेयो न तु तद् वै करोमि । आशासु धर्म्यासु परासु कुर्वन् यथा नियुक्तोडस्मि तथा वहामि,मैं प्राणियोंके अभ्युदय और पराभवको जानता हूँ। श्रेष्ठ तत््व्से भी परिचित हूँ और ज्ञानसे कल्याणकी प्राप्ति होती है, इस बातको भी समझता हूँ, तथापि उसका सम्पादन नहीं करता हूँ। इसके विपरीत धर्म-सम्मत अथवा अधर्मयुक्त आशाएँ मनमें लेकर जैसी अन्तर्यामीकी प्रेरणा होती है, उसके अनुसार कार्यभार वहन करता हूँ
bhāvābhāvau tv abhijānann garīyo jñānāc chreyo na tu tad vai karomi | āśāsu dharmyāsu parāsu kurvan yathā niyukto ’smi tathā vahāmi ||
Bhishma said: “I understand the rise and fall of beings; I also know the higher good and that true welfare is attained through knowledge. Yet I do not put that knowledge into practice. Instead, moved by hopes—some aligned with dharma, others contrary—I carry out my duties exactly as the Inner Ruler impels me.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the gap between knowing the good (śreyas) through knowledge and actually living it. It also reflects on how human action is often driven by desires and mixed motives, while one experiences oneself as being impelled by an inner directing principle (antaryāmin), raising questions about self-mastery and moral responsibility.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction-setting, Bhishma speaks introspectively about human conduct: despite understanding what leads to true welfare, he admits failing to enact it and instead continuing to bear responsibilities as prompted from within, with hopes that may be righteous or unrighteous.