Shloka 3
ब्राह्मणस्य पूर्वतरा वृत्तिः — The Earlier Ideal Conduct of a Brahmana
River-of-Saṃsāra Metaphor
भीष्म उवाच पुत्रदारै: सुखैश्वैव वियुक्तस्य धनेन वा । मग्नस्य व्यसने कृच्छे धृति: श्रेयल्करी नूप
bhīṣma uvāca putradāraiḥ sukhaiś caiva viyuktasya dhanena vā | magnasya vyasane kṛcchre dhṛtiḥ śreyaskarī nṛpa ||
ビーシュマは言った。「王よ、子や妻と別れ、あるいは安楽や、さらには財までも失い—災厄と苛烈な苦難に沈んだ者にとって—心の堅忍（ドゥリティ）こそが真の善をもたらす。逆境においては、忍耐と内なる強さが最も有益な支えとなり、人を正しき健やかな道へと導き返すのだ。」
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
When a person loses family, comforts, or wealth and is overwhelmed by misfortune, dhṛti—steady inner resolve and endurance—is the most beneficial virtue. It preserves clarity and dharma when external supports collapse.
In the Śānti Parva, Bhishma instructs the king (Yudhiṣṭhira) on righteous conduct and mental discipline after the war. Here he emphasizes that in severe distress, steadfastness is the key support for recovery and right action.