Shloka 40
Adhyātma–Adhibhūta–Adhidaivata Correspondences and the Triguṇa Lakṣaṇas (Śānti-parva 301)
दुर्लभत्वं च मोक्षस्य विज्ञाय श्रुतिपूर्वकम् । बहुमानमलब्धेषु लब्धे मध्यस्थतां पुन:
durlabhatvaṃ ca mokṣasya vijñāya śrutipūrvakam | bahumānam alabdhēṣu labdhē madhyasthatāṃ punaḥ ||
Bhīṣma dit : «Ayant compris—à la lumière de l’écoute des enseignements védiques—que la délivrance est difficile à atteindre, il faut garder la révérence même lorsque les buts désirés ne sont pas obtenus ; et même lorsqu’ils le sont, il faut de nouveau demeurer détaché et égal d’esprit à leur égard.»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Recognize, through śruti-based understanding, that moksha is hard to attain; therefore cultivate reverent acceptance in non-attainment and maintain detachment even when attainment occurs—equanimity in both outcomes.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction section, Bhishma continues advising on right conduct and inner discipline, emphasizing an attitude of even-mindedness toward worldly gains and losses as a support for the pursuit of liberation.