Shloka 15
ब्राह्मणस्य पूर्वतरा वृत्तिः — The Earlier Ideal Conduct of a Brahmana
River-of-Saṃsāra Metaphor
शत्रुभिर्वशमानीतो हीन: स्थानादनुत्तमात् | वैरोचने किमाश्रित्य शोचितव्ये न शोचसि
śatrubhir vaśamānīto hīnaḥ sthānād anuttamāt | vairocane kim āśritya śocitavye na śocasi ||
ビーシュマは言った。「ヴィローチャナの子よ、おまえは敵の支配下に置かれ、比類なき地位（王権）から失墜した。この嘆くべき境遇にありながら、いかなる力、いかなる拠り所に頼って、嘆きを退けているのか。」
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse probes the basis of inner steadiness: when external power and status are lost and one is subjugated, true strength is shown by the support one relies on—such as discernment, dharma, or self-control—rather than being swept away by grief.
Bhishma addresses a figure called “Vairocana” (son/descendant of Virocana), noting that he has been overcome by enemies and fallen from a supreme position. Bhishma challenges him: despite being in a lamentable state, what inner refuge or power enables him not to mourn?