Mahabharata — Virata Parva, Shloka 5
देवविमान-दर्शनम् / The Celestial Assembly and Vimana Spectacle
Bhīṣma–Arjuna Encounter Framed Cosmically
स्वार्थके विषयमें सोचते समय सभी मनुष्य--धर्मज्ञ पुरुष भी मोहमें पड़ जाते हैं; अतः राजन! यदि तुम्हें जचे, तो मैं इस विषयमें अपनी सलाह भी देता हूँ ।।
svārthake viṣaye cintayataḥ sarve manuṣyāḥ—dharmavidāṃ api mohaḥ prajāyate; ataḥ rājan, yadi te rocate, tad asmin viṣaye mama mantram api bravīmi. karṇo hi yad avocat tvāṃ tejaḥ-saṃjananāya tat. ācārya-putraḥ kṣamatāṃ; mahat kāryam upasthitam.
ビーシュマは言った。「人は己の利を思い巡らすとき、誰しも——ダルマを知る者でさえ——迷いに陥りうる。ゆえに王よ、もし望むなら、この件について我もまた助言しよう。カルナが汝に告げたのは、ただ汝の威勢と決意を奮い立たせるためであった。師の子よ、どうかそれを赦されよ。いま我らの前には大事が迫っている。」
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even the dharma-wise can be clouded by moha when self-interest dominates their thinking; therefore counsel should aim at restoring clarity, forgiveness, and focus on the larger duty at hand.
Bhishma addresses the king, explaining that Karna’s words were meant to rouse courage and resolve, asks that the teacher’s son (Ashvatthama) be forgiven, and urges attention to the urgent, major task before them.