Shloka 4
संधेयासंधेय-पुरुषनिर्णयः (Criteria for Allies and Non-Allies) — with the opening of the Gautama narrative
ओऔषधान्यगदादीनि क्रियाश्व विविधास्तथा । तपसैव हि सिद्धान्ति तपोमूलं हि साधनम्
oṣadhāny agadādīni kriyāś ca vividhās tathā | tapasaiva hi siddhānti tapomūlaṃ hi sādhanam ||
Bhishma dijo: «Los remedios, los antídotos y las diversas disciplinas prácticas sólo llegan a su cumplimiento por el tapas; pues el tapas es la raíz de todo medio eficaz de logro».
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
All effective means—whether medical remedies or diverse practices—derive their success from tapas (disciplined austerity). Inner restraint and sustained effort are presented as the foundational power behind any accomplishment.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on dharma and right conduct, Bhishma continues advising Yudhishthira, emphasizing that practical techniques and external aids become truly efficacious when supported by inner discipline (tapas).