Shloka 4
Durgātitaraṇa—Conduct for Crossing Difficulties (दुर्गातितरणम्)
प्रत्याहुनोच्यमाना ये न हिंसन्ति च हिंसिता: । प्रयच्छन्ति न याचन्ते दुर्गाण्यतितरन्ति ते,जो दूसरोंके कटु वचन सुनाने या निन््दा करनेपर भी स्वयं उन्हें उत्तर नहीं देते, मार खाकर भी किसीको मारते नहीं तथा स्वयं देते हैं, परंतु दूसरोंसे माँगते नहीं; वे भी दुर्गम संकटसे पार हो जाते हैं
pratyāhūnocyamānā ye na hiṃsanti ca hiṃsitāḥ | prayacchanti na yācante durgāṇy atitaranti te ||
Bhīṣma enseña: «Quienes, aun provocados por palabras ásperas e insultos, no toman represalias; quienes, aun siendo dañados, no dañan en retorno; y quienes eligen dar antes que mendigar—tales personas, dueñas de sí y generosas, pueden cruzar incluso las crisis y peligros más arduos».
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse praises three linked virtues—non-retaliation to verbal provocation, non-violence even after being harmed, and generosity without dependence on begging—teaching that such disciplined conduct enables one to overcome even severe dangers.
In the Shanti Parva, Bhishma instructs Yudhishthira on dharma after the war; here he highlights the moral strength of patience, restraint, and giving, presenting them as practical means to pass through difficult times.