Shloka 28
Mantri-Parīkṣā — Testing Ministers, Securing Counsel, and Ethical Criteria for Advisers (अध्याय ८४)
यो वाप्यस्थिरसंकल्पो बुद्धिमानागतागम: । उपायज्ञोडपि नाल॑ स कर्म प्रापयितुं चिरम्
yo vāpy asthira-saṅkalpo buddhimān āgata-āgamaḥ | upāya-jño 'pi nālaṃ sa karma prāpayituṃ ciram ||
जिसका संकल्प स्थिर नहीं है, वह बुद्धिमान, शास्त्रज्ञ और उपायों का जानकार होने पर भी किसी कार्य को दीर्घकाल में भी पूरा नहीं कर सकता।
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Steady resolve (sthira-saṅkalpa) is essential for success and for living dharmically; intelligence, scriptural learning, and clever methods cannot compensate for a wavering will.
In the Śānti Parva, Bhishma instructs Yudhiṣṭhira on righteous conduct and effective governance. Here he emphasizes a practical moral lesson: without firmness of purpose, even a capable and learned person fails to complete tasks.