Shloka 19
Gautama’s Flight, the Enchanted Grove, and the Arrival of Rājadharma
Nāḍījaṅgha
धृतिर्नाम सुखे दुःखे यथा नाप्रोति विक्रियाम् ता भजेत सदा प्राज्ञो य इच्छेद् भूतिमात्मन:
dhṛtir nāma sukhe duḥkhe yathā nāpnoti vikriyām | tā bhajeta sadā prājño ya icched bhūtim ātmanaḥ ||
Bhishma dit : «La fermeté (dhṛti) est cet état où, au milieu du plaisir et de la peine, l’esprit ne subit ni trouble ni altération. Aussi l’homme sage, qui recherche son véritable bien et son épanouissement, doit-il cultiver sans cesse cette fermeté.»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Dhṛti (steadfastness) is defined as maintaining inner stability—no mental agitation or distortion—when confronted with both happiness and sorrow; a person seeking true welfare should continually cultivate this quality.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction to Yudhishthira, Bhishma is defining a key ethical-psychological virtue (dhṛti) and prescribing its constant practice as a foundation for personal well-being and righteous living.