Shloka 26
Adhyāya 159 — Dāna–Dakṣiṇā, Āpaddharma Measures, and Prāyaścitta Classifications
सर्वोपकारिणो वीरा: सर्वधधर्मानुपालका: । सर्वभूतहिताश्ैव सर्वदेयाश्न भारत
sarvopakāriṇo vīrāḥ sarvadharmānupālakāḥ | sarvabhūtahitāś caiva sarvade(y)āś ca bhārata bharatanandana ||
Bhīṣma bersabda: Wahai kebanggaan wangsa Bharata—pahlawan sejati ialah mereka yang berbuat baik bagi semua, menegakkan setiap bentuk dharma, dan menghendaki kesejahteraan bagi segala makhluk. Demi orang lain, mereka siap menyerahkan bahkan seluruh milik yang mereka punyai.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ‘hero’ is defined ethically, not merely militarily: one who benefits all, protects dharma in its many forms, seeks the welfare of all beings, and is willing to sacrifice everything for others.
In the Śānti Parva, Bhīṣma instructs Yudhiṣṭhira on righteous conduct and governance after the war. Here he characterizes the ideal noble person/hero by universal benevolence, dharma-protection, and complete generosity.