Shloka 21
भृगु–भरद्वाजसंवादः: वर्णभेदस्य कर्माधारितव्याख्या
Bhrigu–Bharadvaja Dialogue: A Karma-Based Account of Varṇa
अकार्यमिति चैवेम॑ नात्मानं संत्यजाम्यहम् । नात:ः पापीयसीं योनिं पतेयमपरामिति
akāryam iti caivemaṁ nātmānaṁ saṁtyajāmy aham | nātaḥ pāpīyasīṁ yoniṁ pateyam aparām iti ||
Bhīṣma dijo: «Sabiendo que es un acto indebido, no abandono mi propia vida. Temo que, si lo hiciera, caería de este estado a otro vientre (renacimiento) aún más pecaminoso».
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Self-destruction is treated as adharma: even in suffering, one should not abandon life out of despair, because such an act carries moral consequence and may lead to a worse rebirth. The verse frames restraint as an ethical duty grounded in accountability across lives.
In the Śānti discourse, Bhīṣma explains why he does not give up his life: he recognizes suicide as an improper act and fears the karmic result—falling into a more sinful state of birth—thereby reinforcing dharma-based endurance.