Shloka 23
Śuka’s Nirveda: Vyāsa’s Admonition on Dharma, Impermanence, and ‘Imperishable Wealth’ (अक्षय-धन)
राजर्षिरधृति: स्वर्गात् पतितो हि महाभिष: । ययाति: क्षीणपुण्यो5पि धृत्या लोकानवाप्तवान्
rājarṣir adhṛtiḥ svargāt patito hi mahābhiṣaḥ | yayātiḥ kṣīṇapuṇyo 'pi dhṛtyā lokān avāptavān |
Bhīṣma dit : Le sage royal Mahābhiṣa tomba du ciel faute de dhṛti, de fermeté intérieure. Mais le roi Yayāti, bien que son mérite fût épuisé, atteignit des mondes plus élevés par la puissance d’une résolution inébranlable. L’enseignement est que la force intérieure et la maîtrise de soi soutiennent l’état spirituel plus sûrement que l’accumulation de mérites.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Dhṛti—steadfast resolve, inner firmness, and self-restraint—is crucial for maintaining spiritual elevation. Without dhṛti one may fall even from heaven, while with dhṛti one may rise again even when accumulated merit is exhausted.
Bhīṣma contrasts two exemplars: Mahābhiṣa, who fell from Svarga due to lack of steadiness, and Yayāti, who despite depleted merit attained higher realms through steadfastness. The comparison reinforces the ethical value of sustained self-mastery.