Shloka 11
अध्याय २२० — बलिवासवसंवादः
Bali–Vāsava Dialogue on Kāla and Steadfastness
जनवादमृषावादस्तुतिनिन्दाविवर्जनम् | साधुकामश्न स्पृहयेन्नायतिं प्रत्ययेषु च
bhīṣma uvāca | janavādamṛṣāvādastutinindāvivarjanam | sādhukāmaś ca na spṛhayed nāyatiṃ pratyayeṣu ca ||
Bhishma berkata: Hendaknya seseorang menjauhi gosip orang banyak, ucapan dusta, serta pujian dan celaan. Ia patut merindukan pergaulan para saleh, namun tetap bebas dari nafsu—tidak mengidamkan kenikmatan yang akan datang, dan tidak gelisah bergantung pada harapan maupun janji-janji penguat. Inilah tanda-tanda pengendalian diri yang meneguhkan batin dan menopang hidup dalam dharma.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma teaches disciplined speech and inner non-attachment: avoid gossip, lying, and the habit of praising or blaming; seek the company of the virtuous while remaining free from craving and anxious dependence on future outcomes or assurances.
In Shanti Parva, Bhishma instructs Yudhishthira on dharma and conduct. Here he lists specific traits of self-restraint (dama) that purify social interaction and stabilize the mind for righteous living.