Shloka 10
Sundopasundayor Digvijayaḥ — The Conquests of Sunda and Upasunda
Nārada’s Account
कीर्तिरक्षणमातिष्ठ कीर्तिहि परमं बलम् । नष्टकीर्तेर्मनुष्यस्य जीवितं हाूफलं स्मृतम्,अतः अपनी कीर्तिकी रक्षा करो, कीर्ति ही श्रेष्ठ बल है; जिसकी कीर्ति नष्ट हो जाती है, उस मनुष्यका जीवन निष्फल माना गया है
Bhīṣma uvāca — kīrtirakṣaṇam ātiṣṭha, kīrtir hi paramaṃ balam | naṣṭakīrter manuṣyasya jīvitaṃ hy aphalaṃ smṛtam ||
Dijo Bhishma: «Ocúpate de salvaguardar tu buen nombre; pues la reputación es, en verdad, la fuerza suprema. La vida de aquel cuya fama ha sido arruinada es recordada como estéril.»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
One should actively protect one’s kīrti (honorable reputation), because moral standing and public trust function as a person’s greatest strength; when reputation is destroyed, life is considered devoid of meaningful fruit.
Bhishma delivers a didactic counsel, urging adherence to honorable conduct and warning that loss of reputation undermines the very purpose and efficacy of one’s life.