Shloka 101
Śaraṇāgata-Atithi-Dharma in the Kapota Narrative (कपोत-आख्यानम्—शरणागतधर्मः)
एतां बुद्धिं समास्थाय जीवितव्यं सदा भवेत् | जीवन पुण्यमवाप्रोति पुरुषो भद्रमश्लुते,इस बुद्धिका सहारा लेकर सदा जीवित रहनेका प्रयत्न करना चाहिये; क्योंकि जीवित रहनेवाला पुरुष पुण्य करनेका अवसर पाता और कल्याणका भागी होता है
etāṁ buddhiṁ samāsthāya jīvitavyaṁ sadā bhavet | jīvan puṇyam avāpnoti puruṣo bhadram aśnute ||
Firmado neste entendimento, deve-se sempre esforçar por preservar a vida. Pois quem permanece vivo obtém a oportunidade de praticar atos meritórios e, assim, vem a partilhar do bem-estar e do bem auspicioso.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
One should adopt a wise, steady resolve to sustain life, because life provides the continuing chance to practice dharma and accumulate puṇya, leading to one’s welfare (bhadra).
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction section, Bhishma is advising Yudhiṣṭhira on ethical living; here he emphasizes the practical dharmic principle that preserving life enables ongoing righteous action and the attainment of auspicious good.