Shloka 4
Pātra-Lakṣaṇa and Niścita-Dharma
Marks of a Worthy Recipient and Stable Criteria of Dharma
जिज्ञासेयं प्रयुक्ता मे स्थिरीकर्तु तवानघ । अव्युत्थानेन ते लोका जिता: सत्यपराक्रम,निर्दोष ब्राह्मण! आपको दृढ़ करनेके लिये आपकी परीक्षा लेनेके उद्देश्यसे ही मैंने यह कार्य किया है। सत्यपराक्रमी द्विज! आपने अपने धर्मसे विचलित न होकर समस्त पुण्यलोकोंको जीत लिया है
jijñāseyaṁ prayuktā me sthirīkartu tavānagha | avyutthānena te lokā jitāḥ satyaparākrama ||
女は言った。「咎なき者よ、私はただおまえを試し、心を堅固にするためにこれを行った。真実に勇ましき二度生まれよ、決意から退かず、己のダルマに背かなかったゆえに、おまえは功徳の諸世界を征服したのだ。」
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
True dharma is shown by steadiness under trial: when tested, one should not abandon one’s righteous resolve. Such unwavering conduct is portrayed as spiritually victorious—‘conquering’ meritorious realms.
Bhishma reveals that his earlier action was deliberate—meant to examine and strengthen the person addressed (a blameless, truth-valiant Brahmin). He praises him for not wavering and declares that this steadfastness has earned him the highest पुण्यलोक (realms of merit).