Shloka 9
पापात्म-धर्मात्म-लक्षणम् तथा निर्वेदेन मोक्षमार्गः | Marks of the Sinful and the Righteous; Dispassion (Nirveda) as a Path to Liberation
स तथेति चिरेणोक्त्वा स्वभावाच्चिरकारिक: । विमृश्य चिरकारित्वाच्चिन्तयामास वै चिरम्,चिरकारीने अपने स्वभावके अनुसार देर करके कहा, “बहुत अच्छा'। चिरकारी तो वह था ही, चिरकालतक उस बातपर विचार करता रहा
sa tatheti cireṇoktvā svabhāvāc cirakārikaḥ | vimṛśya cirakāritvāc cintayāmāsa vai ciram ||
“So be it,” he replied—only after a long delay, for he was by nature one who acts slowly and deliberately. And because that was his habit, he reflected and pondered over the matter for a long time.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical value of deliberation: a person who is naturally slow to act does not rush into decisions but reflects carefully, suggesting that restraint and thoughtful consideration can be integral to dharma.
Bhishma describes Cirakari’s characteristic behavior: he gives assent only after delay and then continues to ponder the matter for a long time, emphasizing his deliberate temperament.