अध्याय १७८ — प्राणवायुगतिः तथा शारीराग्निव्यवस्था
Adhyāya 178 — The courses of prāṇa-vāyu and the regulation of the bodily fire
निर्वेद निर्व॒तिं तृप्तिं शान्तिं सत्यं दमं क्षमाम् । सर्वभूतदयां चैव विद्धि मां समुपागतम्,'तू यह अच्छी तरह समझ ले कि मुझे वैराग्य, सुख, तृप्ति, शान्ति, सत्य, दम, क्षमा और समस्त प्राणियोंके प्रति दयाभाव--ये सभी सदगुण प्राप्त हो गये हैं
nirveda nirvṛtiṃ tṛptiṃ śāntiṃ satyaṃ damaṃ kṣamām | sarvabhūtadayāṃ caiva viddhi māṃ samupāgatam ||
Bhīṣma dit : Sache clairement que j’ai atteint ces vertus — le détachement, le contentement intérieur, la pleine satisfaction, la paix, la véracité, la maîtrise de soi, le pardon et la compassion envers tous les êtres vivants. En cet état, mon esprit demeure établi dans une lucidité morale paisible, affranchi de l’agitation et de l’hostilité.
भीष्म उवाच
Bhīṣma presents a cluster of dharmic virtues—dispassion, inner repose, contentment, peace, truthfulness, self-restraint, forgiveness, and universal compassion—as marks of spiritual and ethical maturity. The teaching emphasizes that true strength is shown not by domination but by mastery of oneself and benevolence toward all beings.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction-setting, Bhīṣma speaks as a revered elder-teacher, describing his present inner state. He asks the listener to recognize that he has arrived at a condition grounded in calmness and virtue, suitable for imparting guidance on dharma and right conduct.