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
rājarṣir adhṛtiḥ svargāt patito hi mahābhiṣaḥ | yayātiḥ kṣīṇapuṇyo 'pi dhṛtyā lokān avāptavān |
ରାଜର୍ଷି ମହାଭିଷ ଧୃତିର ଅଭାବରୁ ସ୍ୱର୍ଗରୁ ପତିତ ହେଲେ; କିନ୍ତୁ ରାଜା ଯୟାତି, ପୁଣ୍ୟ କ୍ଷୀଣ ହେବା ପରେ ମଧ୍ୟ, ଧୃତିର ବଳରେ ଉତ୍ତମ ଲୋକ ପ୍ରାପ୍ତ କଲେ। ଶିକ୍ଷା—କେବଳ ସଞ୍ଚିତ ପୁଣ୍ୟ ନୁହେଁ; ଅନ୍ତର୍ଦୃଢତା ଓ ସଂଯମ ଆଧ୍ୟାତ୍ମିକ ସ୍ଥିତିକୁ ଧାରଣ କରେ।
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.