Shloka 51
भृगु–भरद्वाजसंवादः: वर्णभेदस्य कर्माधारितव्याख्या
Bhrigu–Bharadvaja Dialogue: A Karma-Based Account of Varṇa
अब मैं सैकड़ों दिन-रातोंतक साधन करके भी क्या कभी वह उपाय कर सकता हूँ, जिससे आज सियारकी योनिमें पड़ा हुआ मैं पुनः वह मनुष्ययोनि पा सकूँ ।।
santuṣṭaś cāpramattaś ca yajña-dāna-tapo-ratiḥ | jñeyaṃ jñātvā bhaveyaṃ vai varjyaṃ varjayitā tathā ||
Dijo Bhīṣma: «¡Ojalá alcance de nuevo un nacimiento humano—uno en el que permanezca satisfecho y vigilante, entregado al sacrificio (yajña), a la caridad y a la austeridad; en el que comprenda de veras lo que debe ser conocido y, asimismo, renuncie a lo que debe ser renunciado!»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames an ideal human life: contentment without complacency (santuṣṭa yet apramatta), active commitment to yajña–dāna–tapas, clear discernment of what is truly worth knowing (jñeya), and disciplined avoidance of what should be abandoned (varjya).
Bhishma voices a longing for a renewed human birth in which he can practice dharma properly—living with steady awareness, performing meritorious disciplines, gaining right knowledge, and renouncing harmful or unworthy pursuits.