Dama-pradhāna-dharma (Self-restraint as the Root of Dharma) — Śānti-parva 154
तथा तयोर्विवदतोर्विज्ञानविदुषोर्द्रयो: । बान्धवानां स्थितानां चाप्युपातिष्ठत शड़्कर:
tathā tayor vivadatyor vijñāna-viduṣor drayoḥ | bāndhavānāṁ sthitānāṁ cāpy upātiṣṭhata śaṅkaraḥ |
Bhishma disse: “Enquanto aqueles dois contendores eruditos—versados em conhecimento e discernimento—assim debatiam, e os parentes do falecido permaneciam ali, o Senhor Śaṅkara apareceu diante deles, impelido pela Deusa Pārvatī. Seus olhos estavam úmidos de compaixão. Então o Senhor Śiva, doador de dádivas, dirigiu-se àquelas pessoas, dizendo: ‘Eu vos concedo uma graça.’”
भीष्म उवाच
Even when human beings are caught in contention—however learned they may be—resolution can come through compassion and divine grace. Śiva’s appearance with tearful eyes underscores that dharma is not only judgment but also mercy, and that boons (when rightly sought) can restore balance and relieve suffering.
Two knowledgeable parties are engaged in a debate while the relatives of a deceased person stand by. At that moment, prompted by Pārvatī, Lord Śiva (Śaṅkara) manifests before them, moved by compassion, and announces that he will grant them a boon.