Kṣemadarśa–Kālakavṛkṣīya Saṃvāda: Counsel on Impermanence, Non-attachment, and Composure in Dispossession
सदृशं पण्डितस्यै तदीषादन्तेन दन्तिना । यदेको रमते<रण्येष्वारण्ये नैव तुष्यति
sadṛśaṃ paṇḍitasya etad īṣādantena dantinā | yad eko ramate 'raṇyeṣv āraṇye naiva tuṣyati ||
भीष्म म्हणाले—पंडित पुरुषाला हेच शोभते: तो वनात एकटाच रमावा, ईषेसारखे मोठे दात असलेल्या रानटी हत्तीच्या संगतीतही निर्भय फिरावा, आणि वनातीलच पानं-फुलं, फळं-मुळं यांवर संतुष्ट राहावा—वनाबाहेरच्या कशाचीही लालसा करू नये.
भीष्म उवाच
Wisdom is shown by independence from comforts and social dependence: the learned person can live alone in the forest, accept simple natural food, and remain free from craving—content with minimal needs and steady in self-control.
In Shanti Parva, Bhishma instructs on dharma and the ideals of restraint and renunciation. Here he describes the conduct suitable for a true paṇḍita: solitary forest-dwelling, unafraid even among wild creatures, and satisfied with what nature offers.