Mahabharata — Shanti Parva, 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 ||
ភីṣ្មៈបាននិយាយថា៖ «ឱ កូនប្រុសវิโរចនៈ! អ្នកត្រូវសត្រូវគ្រប់គ្រង ហើយធ្លាក់ចេញពីស្ថានៈដ៏ឧត្តម (អធិបតេយ្យ)។ នៅក្នុងសភាពដែលគួរឲ្យសោកស្តាយបែបនេះ តើអ្នកពឹងផ្អែកលើកម្លាំង ឬទីពឹងអ្វី ទើបមិនយំសោក?»
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?