Shloka 20
Bhīṣma on the Śara-Śayyā: Yudhiṣṭhira and Kṛṣṇa Approach the Eldest for Śānti
त्वां हि राज्ये स्थितं स्फीते समग्राड्रमरोगिणम् । स्त्रीसहस्रै: परिवृतं पश्यामीवोर्ध्वरेतसम्
tvāṃ hi rājye sthitaṃ sphīte samagrāḍramarogiṇam | strīsahasraiḥ parivṛtaṃ paśyāmīvōrdhvaretasam ||
Dijo Vaiśampāyana: «Te veo asentado en un reino floreciente—con el cuerpo íntegro y completo, libre de enfermedad—rodeado por miles de mujeres; y, sin embargo, te contemplo como un “ūrdhvareta”, firme en una continencia inquebrantable».
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
True dharma is shown as inner mastery: even with health, wealth, sovereignty, and constant access to pleasure, a person can remain disciplined and restrained (ūrdhvaretas), demonstrating that virtue depends on self-governance rather than external conditions.
Vaiśampāyana addresses a royal figure, describing his prosperous rule and the presence of many women around him, yet praising (or marveling at) his continued celibate-like restraint—setting up a discussion on ethical conduct and self-control within worldly life.