Shloka 23
Nirmaryāda-saṃgrāma-varṇana — The Unbounded Clash and Bhīṣma’s Rallying Presence
सम्बन्ध-- जो उपर्युक्त दैवीसम्पदाका आचरण न करके अपनी मान्यताके अनुसार कर्म करता है
yaḥ śāstravidhim utsṛjya vartate kāmakārataḥ | na sa siddhim avāpnoti na sukhaṁ na parāṁ gatim ||
જે પુરુષ શાસ્ત્રવિધિને ત્યજીને માત્ર પોતાની ઇચ્છા મુજબ વર્તે છે, તે ન સિદ્ધિ પામે છે, ન સુખ, ન પરમગતિ.
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Abandoning śāstric injunctions and acting from desire alone leads to failure in the deepest sense: no true siddhi (right attainment), no stable sukha (well-being), and no parā gati (highest end). The verse frames dharma as a necessary compass for meaningful freedom and lasting good.
In the Bhīṣma Parva’s battlefield discourse, the teaching contrasts disciplined, dharma-aligned conduct with impulsive, desire-driven action. The verse functions as a moral criterion: conduct must be guided by śāstra/dharma rather than personal whim to reach the highest human aims.