Shloka 17
Adhyāya 119: Vyāsa–Kīṭa-saṃvāda
Tapas-bala and karmic ascent across yoni
दुष्करं च रसज्ञाने मांसस्य परिवर्जनम् | चर्तु व्रतमिदं श्रेष्ठ सर्वप्राण्यभयप्रदम्
Bhīṣma uvāca: duṣkaraṁ ca rasajñāne māṁsasya parivarjanam | catur-vratam idaṁ śreṣṭhaṁ sarva-prāṇy-abhaya-pradam ||
ビーシュマは言った。「肉の味を知り、それを嗜んだ者にとって、肉を断つことはまことに難しい。されど、この四つより成る誓戒こそ最上である。あらゆる生きものに無畏を与えるからだ。」
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even if abstaining from meat is difficult for someone accustomed to its taste, the ethical ideal is to undertake the highest discipline that ensures non-harm—granting safety and fearlessness to all living beings.
In the Anushasana Parva’s dharma-instruction setting, Bhishma continues advising on righteous conduct, emphasizing the moral excellence of vows grounded in ahimsa and the challenge of overcoming sensory attachment.