Shloka 31

Devanagari script

क्षिप्रकारी जितक्रोध: सुप्रसादो महामना: । अरोषप्रकृतिर्युक्त: क्रियावानविकत्थन:

Transliteration

kṣiprakārī jitakrodhaḥ suprasādo mahāmanāḥ | aroṣaprakṛtir yuktaḥ kriyāvān avikatthanaḥ ||

Translation

Bhīṣma said: “He should be one who acts promptly, has conquered anger, is gracious and easily pleased, and is great-souled. His very nature should be free from resentment; he should be disciplined and capable in action, and he should be without boastfulness.”

Word by Word

क्षिप्रकारीone who acts quickly

जितक्रोधःone who has conquered anger

सुप्रसादःvery gracious / of good favor

महामनाःgreat-souled

अरोषप्रकृतिःof a non-angry nature

युक्तःendowed (with) / possessed of

क्रियावान्active / energetic

अविकत्थनःnot boastful

Speaker

भीष्म उवाच

Characters & Entities

Bhīṣma

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

War Context

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Geographic Context

Cross References

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse lists ethical qualities of an ideal person—especially one fit for responsibility: promptness in duty, mastery over anger, graciousness, magnanimity, a non-resentful temperament, disciplined engagement, effective action, and humility without boasting.

What is happening in the narrative?

In Śānti Parva, Bhīṣma instructs on dharma and right conduct after the war. Here he enumerates character traits to be cultivated, presenting a concise portrait of exemplary temperament and behavior.