Shloka 69
Aṣṭāvakra–Strī-saṃvāda: Dhṛti, hospitality, and a dispute on autonomy
न च शक्तो वारयितुं मनो5स्याथावसीदति । ततो धृति: समुत्पन्ना तस्य विप्रस्यथ धीमत:,वे अपने मनको रोक नहीं पाते थे। बलपूर्वक रोकनेपर उनका मन शिथिल होता जाता था। तदनन्तर उन बुद्धिमान् ब्राह्मणके हृदयमें किसी तरह धैर्य उत्पन्न हुआ
na ca śakto vārayituṁ mano ’syāthāvasīdati | tato dhṛtiḥ samutpannā tasya viprasyatha dhīmataḥ ||
Bhishma berkata: Dia tidak mampu menahan fikirannya sendiri; dan apabila dia cuba mengekangnya dengan paksaan, fikirannya semakin lemah dan murung. Lalu, entah bagaimana, keteguhan pun timbul dalam hati Brahmana yang bijaksana itu—menandai peralihan daripada runtuhnya batin kepada tekad yang memerintah diri.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Mere force is often ineffective in mastering the mind; when coercion leads to inner collapse, one must cultivate dhṛti—steady, sustaining resolve—so that self-control becomes stable rather than strained.
Bhishma describes a wise Brahmin struggling to restrain his mind; repeated attempts make him despondent, but then a turning point occurs as dhṛti (steadfastness) arises within him, enabling renewed inner discipline.