Shloka 23
Śuka’s Nirveda: Vyāsa’s Admonition on Dharma, Impermanence, and ‘Imperishable Wealth’ (अक्षय-धन)
राजर्षिरधृति: स्वर्गात् पतितो हि महाभिष: । ययाति: क्षीणपुण्यो5पि धृत्या लोकानवाप्तवान्,राजर्षि महाभिष धृतिमान् न होनेके कारण ही स्वर्गसे नीचे गिरे और राजा ययाति अपना पुण्य क्षीण हो जानेके बाद भी धृतिके ही बलसे उत्तम लोकोंको प्राप्त हुए
rājarṣir adhṛtiḥ svargāt patito hi mahābhiṣaḥ | yayātiḥ kṣīṇapuṇyo 'pi dhṛtyā lokān avāptavān |
Bhīṣma bersabda: Raja resi Mahābhiṣa jatuh dari syurga kerana tidak memiliki dhṛti—keteguhan. Namun Raja Yayāti, walaupun pahala kebajikannya telah susut, tetap mencapai alam-alam yang lebih tinggi dengan kekuatan keteguhan hati. Pengajarannya: kekukuhan batin dan penguasaan diri lebih dapat menegakkan martabat rohani daripada sekadar timbunan pahala.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Dhṛti—steadfast resolve, inner firmness, and self-restraint—is crucial for maintaining spiritual elevation. Without dhṛti one may fall even from heaven, while with dhṛti one may rise again even when accumulated merit is exhausted.
Bhīṣma contrasts two exemplars: Mahābhiṣa, who fell from Svarga due to lack of steadiness, and Yayāti, who despite depleted merit attained higher realms through steadfastness. The comparison reinforces the ethical value of sustained self-mastery.