Shloka 13
Prahlāda–Indra Saṃvāda: Kartṛtva (Agency) and Svabhāva (Nature) in the Causation of Karma
रजोभूतैर्हि करणै: कर्मणि प्रतिपद्यते । स दु:खं प्राप्प लोकेडस्मिन् नरकायोपपद्यते | तस्मान्मनोवाक्शरीरैराचरेद् धैर्यमात्मन:
rajobhūtair hi karaṇaiḥ karmaṇi pratipadyate | sa duḥkhaṃ prāpya loke 'smin narakāyopapadyate | tasmān manovākśarīrair ācaret dhairyam ātmanaḥ |
Bhīṣma dit : «Lorsque les facultés d’un homme sont mues par la qualité de rajas, il est poussé vers des actes visant la jouissance des sens. Après avoir récolté la souffrance en ce monde même, il devient finalement propre à l’enfer. C’est pourquoi, par la pensée, la parole et le corps, il faut pratiquer une conduite qui apporte à soi-même stabilité et maîtrise de soi».
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Actions driven by rajas (passionate, restless desire) lead first to suffering in this life and ultimately to a hellish destiny; therefore one should discipline conduct through mind, speech, and body to cultivate dhairya—steadiness and self-control.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on dharma and right conduct, Bhishma continues advising the listener about the moral psychology of the guṇas: how rajas impels sense-oriented action and how restraint across thought, speech, and bodily behavior is the remedy.