Shloka 9
Adhyāya 287 — Janaka’s Inquiry on Śreyas, Abhayadāna, and Asaṅga
Non-attachment
तांस्तु विप्रस्थितान् दृष्टवा शास्त्रै: शास्त्राभिनन्दिन: । स्वशास्त्रै: परितुष्टाश्न श्रेयो नोपलभामहे
tāṁstu viprasthitān dṛṣṭvā śāstraiḥ śāstrābhinandinaḥ | svaśāstraiḥ parituṣṭāś ca śreyo nopalabhāmahe ||
Bhīṣma dit : «Mais lorsque nous voyons ces hommes—chacun solidement établi dans sa propre doctrine—vivre selon les disciplines enseignées par leurs écritures respectives et louer ces mêmes écritures, et lorsque nous les trouvons aussi satisfaits de leurs convictions que nous le sommes des nôtres, le doute s’élève en notre esprit. Nous ne pouvons discerner clairement quel est le moyen le plus élevé d’atteindre le bien suprême.»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
When many traditions follow their own scriptures sincerely and appear equally content, mere adherence to a particular śāstra does not by itself settle the question of śreyas (the supreme good). The verse frames a disciplined doubt that calls for deeper discernment about what truly leads to ultimate welfare.
Bhīṣma is explaining a situation of intellectual and ethical uncertainty: observing diverse groups devoted to their respective scriptural paths and praising them, he (or the inquirers he represents) becomes unsure which path is best for attaining the highest good, prompting further inquiry into dharma and liberation.