Shloka 13
Go-dāna-phala-nirdeśa
Merit and Destinations from the Gift of Cows
युज्यन्ते सर्वकामैहिं दान्ता: सर्वत्र पाण्डव | स्वर्गे यथा प्रमोदन््ते तपसा विक्रमेण च
yujyante sarvakāmaiḥ dāntāḥ sarvatra pāṇḍava | svarge yathā pramodante tapasā vikrameṇa ca ||
Bhishma dit : «Ô Pāṇḍava, les hommes de retenue, partout, sont pourvus de toutes les jouissances désirables. De même que les êtres se réjouissent au ciel, ainsi se réjouissent-ils—par la puissance de l’austérité et par la vaillance—ayant conquis leur propre être.»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhīṣma teaches that self-restraint (dama) is a direct source of well-being: the disciplined person gains fulfilment “everywhere,” not merely in heaven. Tapas (austerity/inner discipline) and vikrama (courageous effort) together generate a joy comparable to heavenly delight, implying that ethical mastery of the senses yields both worldly and spiritual prosperity.
In the Anuśāsana Parva, Bhīṣma continues instructing Yudhiṣṭhira on dharma and right conduct. Here he praises the ‘dānta’—those who have conquered their impulses—stating that such people obtain desired ends and experience deep joy through disciplined practice and valorous action.