Shloka 19
Gautama’s Flight, the Enchanted Grove, and the Arrival of Rājadharma
Nāḍījaṅgha
धृतिर्नाम सुखे दुःखे यथा नाप्रोति विक्रियाम् ता भजेत सदा प्राज्ञो य इच्छेद् भूतिमात्मन:
dhṛtir nāma sukhe duḥkhe yathā nāpnoti vikriyām | tā bhajeta sadā prājño ya icched bhūtim ātmanaḥ ||
Dijo Bhishma: «La firmeza (dhṛti) es aquel estado en el que, en medio del placer y del dolor, la mente no sufre perturbación ni cambio. Por ello, el sabio que busca su verdadero bien y prosperidad debe cultivar constantemente esta firmeza.»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Dhṛti (steadfastness) is defined as maintaining inner stability—no mental agitation or distortion—when confronted with both happiness and sorrow; a person seeking true welfare should continually cultivate this quality.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction to Yudhishthira, Bhishma is defining a key ethical-psychological virtue (dhṛti) and prescribing its constant practice as a foundation for personal well-being and righteous living.