Shloka 18
कपोत-लुब्धकसंवादः — Hunter’s Remorse and Renunciatory Resolve
न त्वेव वचन किंचिदनिमित्तादिहोच्यते । सुविनीतेन शास्त्रेण न व्यवस्यन्त्यथापरे
na tveva vacana ki cid animitt1d ihochyate | suvin2btena b1stre7a na vyavasyanty ath1pare |
Bhishma dit : Nul homme sage ne prononce ici ne fût-ce qu’un seul mot sans raison. Pourtant, beaucoup d’autres ne se résolvent pas à agir selon l’enseignement des Écritures, transmis avec justesse. Telle est la leçon : la parole doit être portée par un dessein, et l’étude véritable se prouve par une conduite disciplinée, non par la seule lecture.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A wise person speaks only with a clear purpose, and genuine wisdom is shown by firm resolve to act according to well-taught scriptural guidance; mere learning without practice is criticized.
In the Shanti Parva instruction, Bhishma continues advising on dharma and disciplined living, contrasting the deliberate speech of the wise with the laxity of many who, despite knowing scripture, fail to commit themselves to its practice.