Gautama’s Flight, the Enchanted Grove, and the Arrival of Rājadharma
Nāḍījaṅgha
धृतिर्नाम सुखे दुःखे यथा नाप्रोति विक्रियाम् ता भजेत सदा प्राज्ञो य इच्छेद् भूतिमात्मन:
dhṛtir nāma sukhe duḥkhe yathā nāpnoti vikriyām | tā bhajeta sadā prājño ya icched bhūtim ātmanaḥ ||
भीष्म म्हणाले—सुख वा दुःख प्राप्त झाले तरी मनात विकार न होणे यास ‘धृति’ म्हणतात. जो स्वतःचे कल्याण व उन्नती इच्छितो, त्या प्राज्ञ पुरुषाने धृति सदैव जोपासावी.
भीष्म उवाच
Dhṛti (steadfastness) is defined as maintaining inner stability—no mental agitation or distortion—when confronted with both happiness and sorrow; a person seeking true welfare should continually cultivate this quality.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction to Yudhishthira, Bhishma is defining a key ethical-psychological virtue (dhṛti) and prescribing its constant practice as a foundation for personal well-being and righteous living.