Shloka 15
ब्राह्मणस्य पूर्वतरा वृत्तिः — The Earlier Ideal Conduct of a Brahmana
River-of-Saṃsāra Metaphor
शत्रुभिर्वशमानीतो हीन: स्थानादनुत्तमात् | वैरोचने किमाश्रित्य शोचितव्ये न शोचसि
śatrubhir vaśamānīto hīnaḥ sthānād anuttamāt | vairocane kim āśritya śocitavye na śocasi ||
Bhīṣma dit : « Ô fils de Virocana, tu as été livré au pouvoir de tes ennemis et tu es tombé d’un rang sans égal (la souveraineté). Dans un état si digne de deuil, sur quelle force, sur quel appui t’appuies-tu pour ne pas te lamenter ? »
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse probes the basis of inner steadiness: when external power and status are lost and one is subjugated, true strength is shown by the support one relies on—such as discernment, dharma, or self-control—rather than being swept away by grief.
Bhishma addresses a figure called “Vairocana” (son/descendant of Virocana), noting that he has been overcome by enemies and fallen from a supreme position. Bhishma challenges him: despite being in a lamentable state, what inner refuge or power enables him not to mourn?