Shloka 18
Gṛhastha-vṛtti and Niyama: Models of Householder Livelihood and Discipline (गृहस्थवृत्ति-नियमाः)
एतत् प्रज्ञामयैर्धीरा निस्तरन्ति मनीषिण: । प्लवैरप्लववन्तो हि कि करिष्यन्त्यचेतस:
etat prajñāmayair dhīrā nistaranti manīṣiṇaḥ | plavair aplavavanto hi kiṁ kariṣyant acetasaḥ ||
Ainsi, les hommes fermes et clairvoyants traversent (le courant périlleux du Temps et les dangers du monde) au moyen de barques faites de sagesse. Mais ceux qui n’ont point de telles barques—des hommes sans discernement—que peuvent-ils donc faire ?
व्यास उवाच
Educational Q&A
Wisdom and discernment (prajñā) are the practical means to cross peril and confusion; without inner understanding, a person lacks the very instrument needed to overcome the flood of time, suffering, and moral uncertainty.
Vyāsa states a general maxim in the didactic setting of Śānti Parva: the wise, steady-minded people traverse danger by relying on insight, while the undiscerning—lacking that support—are left helpless.