अध्याय २२० — बलिवासवसंवादः
Bali–Vāsava Dialogue on Kāla and Steadfastness
अवैरकृत् सूपचार: समो निन्दाप्रशंसयो: । सुवृत्त: शीलसम्पन्न: प्रसन्नात्मा55त्मवान् प्रभु:
avairakṛt sūpacāraḥ samo nindāpraśaṃsayoḥ | suvṛttaḥ śīlasampannaḥ prasannātmā ātmavān prabhuḥ ||
Bhishma berkata: “Dia tidak memendam permusuhan dan berperilaku dengan adab yang halus. Dia tetap seimbang di tengah celaan dan pujian. Tingkah lakunya baik, akhlaknya terbina; batinnya tenang. Menguasai diri dan berwibawa, dia teguh dalam kebajikan.”
भीष्म उवाच
The verse defines an ideal ethical person: one who does not generate hostility, treats others with courteous conduct, remains steady in praise and blame, and is inwardly serene and self-mastered.
In Śānti Parva, Bhīṣma instructs on dharma and right conduct; here he lists qualities that mark a virtuous, authoritative person fit to guide or lead through moral steadiness.