Shloka 41
Chapter 2: Sudarśana Upākhyāna — Atithi-Dharma and the Conquest of Mṛtyu
Gṛhastha-Vrata
गृहस्थश्वावजेष्यामि मृत्युमित्येव स प्रभो । प्रतिज्ञामकरोद् धीमान् दीप्ततेजा विशाम्पते
gṛhasthaś cāvajeṣyāmi mṛtyum ity eva sa prabho | pratijñām akarod dhīmān dīptatejā viśāmpate ||
Bhīṣma dijo: «Oh señor, aquel sabio de fulgor radiante, gobernante de los hombres, hizo este voto: “Permaneciendo en el orden del cabeza de familia y cumpliendo fielmente sus deberes, venceré a la muerte.”»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
That disciplined adherence to gṛhastha-dharma can be a powerful spiritual and ethical path: by living responsibly, keeping vows, and mastering desire and fear, one ‘overcomes death’—at least in the sense of transcending its terror and the bondage of worldly attachment.
Bhīṣma reports a solemn vow made by a wise, radiant ruler: he declares that he will conquer death while remaining a householder, emphasizing the greatness of household duties when performed with resolve and integrity.