Shloka 20
Brāhmaṇa-kṛtya, Āśrama-niyama, and Dāna-prasaṃsā
Duties of the Brāhmaṇa, āśrama discipline, and praise of giving
न मन्त्रबलवीर्येण प्रज्ञया पौरुषेण च | न शीलेन न वृत्तेन तथा नैवार्थसम्पदा । अलभ्यं लभते मर्त्यस्तत्र का परिदेवना
na mantrabalavīryeṇa prajñayā pauruṣeṇa ca | na śīlena na vṛttena tathā naivārthasampadā | alabhyaṃ labhate martyas tatra kā paridevanā ||
भीष्म म्हणाले— जे खरोखर अलभ्य आहे ते मनुष्याला मंत्रबलाने, शारीरिक बळाने व पराक्रमाने, बुद्धीने व पुरुषार्थाने मिळत नाही; तसेच शीलाने, सद्वर्तनाने किंवा धन-संपत्तीनेही नाही. जे मिळणारच नाही त्यासाठी शोक कशाला?
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhīṣma teaches acceptance and non-lamentation: if something is inherently unattainable, no combination of spiritual means (mantras), physical power, intelligence, moral excellence, disciplined conduct, or wealth can secure it; therefore grief over it is irrational and should be relinquished.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction-setting, Bhīṣma continues advising on dharma and inner steadiness, offering a consolatory principle aimed at reducing sorrow: recognize the limits of human agency and cease lamenting what cannot be obtained.