Shloka 20

Brāhmaṇa-kṛtya, Āśrama-niyama, and Dāna-prasaṃsā

Duties of the Brāhmaṇa, āśrama discipline, and praise of giving

Devanagari script

न मन्त्रबलवीर्येण प्रज्ञया पौरुषेण च | न शीलेन न वृत्तेन तथा नैवार्थसम्पदा । अलभ्यं लभते मर्त्यस्तत्र का परिदेवना

Transliteration

na mantrabalavīryeṇa prajñayā pauruṣeṇa ca | na śīlena na vṛttena tathā naivārthasampadā | alabhyaṃ labhate martyas tatra kā paridevanā ||

Translation

ଭୀଷ୍ମ କହିଲେ— ଯାହା ସତ୍ୟରେ ଅଲଭ୍ୟ, ତାହାକୁ ମର୍ତ୍ୟ ମନୁଷ୍ୟ ନ ମନ୍ତ୍ରବଳରେ, ନ ବଳ-ପରାକ୍ରମରେ, ନ ବୁଦ୍ଧି ଓ ପୁରୁଷାର୍ଥରେ ପାଇପାରେ; ନ ଶୀଳରେ, ନ ସଦାଚାରରେ, ନ ଧନ-ସମ୍ପଦରେ। ଯାହା ମିଳିବା ନୁହେଁ, ତାହା ପାଇଁ ଶୋକ କାହିଁକି?

Word by Word

• न: not
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न

• मन्त्रबलवीर्येण: by mantra, strength, and vigor
• मन्त्रबलवीर्येण: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: मन्त्रबलवीर्य
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental, Singular

• प्रज्ञया: by intelligence
• प्रज्ञया: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रज्ञा
• Form: Feminine, Instrumental, Singular

• पौरुषेण: by manly effort/valor
• पौरुषेण: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: पौरुष
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental, Singular

• च: and
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च

• न: not
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न

• शीलेन: by good character
• शीलेन: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: शील
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental, Singular

• न: not
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न

• वृत्तेन: by conduct/behavior
• वृत्तेन: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: वृत्त
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental, Singular

• तथा: likewise
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा

• न: not
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न

• एव: indeed/just
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव

• अर्थसम्पदा: by wealth (prosperity of means)
• अर्थसम्पदा: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: अर्थसम्पद्
• Form: Feminine, Instrumental, Singular

• अलभ्यम्: unattainable
• अलभ्यम्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अलभ्य
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• लभते: obtains
• Type: Verb
• Root: लभ्
• Form: Present, Third, Singular, Atmanepada

• मर्त्यः: a mortal (man)
• मर्त्यः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: मर्त्य
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• तत्र: there/in that matter
• तत्र: Adhikarana
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तत्र

• का: what?
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: क
• Form: Feminine, Nominative, Singular

• परिदेवना: lamentation/grief
• Type: Noun
• Root: परिदेवना
• Form: Feminine, Nominative, Singular

Speaker

भीष्म उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Bhīṣma

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

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.

What is happening in the narrative?

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.