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 disse: Ele não conseguia refrear a própria mente; e, quando tentava contê-la à força, sua mente apenas se tornava mais frouxa e abatida. Então, de algum modo, a firmeza surgiu no coração daquele sábio brâmane—marcando a passagem do colapso interior para uma resolução governada por si mesmo.
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.