Shloka 18
Daṇḍa-svarūpa-nirūpaṇa
The Nature, Forms, and Function of Daṇḍa
आत्मसंयमनं बुद्धया परबुद्धयावधारणम् । बुद्धया चात्मगुणप्राप्तिरेतच्छास्त्रनिदर्शनम्
ātmasaṁyamanaṁ buddhyā parabuddhyāvadhāraṇam | buddhyā cātmaguṇaprāptir etacchāstranidarśanam ||
Bhishma dit : «La maîtrise de soi s’obtient par son propre discernement ; la décision de ce qu’il convient de faire se confirme avec l’aide du conseil et de l’intelligence d’autrui ; et, par une compréhension guidée par le śāstra, on acquiert les vertus du Soi. Voilà ce que l’enseignement du śāstra veut faire voir.»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse distinguishes three supports for right living: (1) personal intellect for self-restraint, (2) others’ counsel for deciding duties in complex situations, and (3) scripturally informed understanding for attaining enduring inner virtues—presenting these as the practical aim of śāstra.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on dharma and right conduct, Bhishma continues advising Yudhiṣṭhira by summarizing how disciplined intellect, wise counsel, and scriptural guidance function together to shape ethical decision-making and inner character.