Shloka 31
Adhyāya 180: Jīva, Śarīra, and the Fire Analogy (भृगु–भरद्वाज संवादः)
अपगतभयरागमोहदर्पो धृतिमतिबुद्धिसमन्वित: प्रशान्त: । उपगतफलभोगिनो निशम्य व्रतमिदमाजगरं शुचिश्चरामि
apagatabhayarāgamohadarpo dhṛtimatibuddhisamanvitaḥ praśāntaḥ | upagata-phalabhogino niśamya vratam idam ājagaraṁ śuciś carāmi |
Bhīṣma disse: “O medo, o apego, a ilusão e o orgulho caíram de mim. Dotado de firmeza, reta reflexão e discernimento, estou inteiramente sereno. Observando aqueles que aceitam e desfrutam apenas do que lhes chega por si mesmo — pela força do karma já iniciado a frutificar (prārabdha) — pratico, com pureza de mente, este ‘voto da píton’ (ājagara-vrata), disciplina de não se apoderar e de contentamento.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches inner renunciation: when fear, attachment, delusion, and pride are abandoned, one lives in serenity and practices contentment by accepting only what comes naturally as the ‘fruit’ of prior causes, without restless pursuit or grasping.
Bhishma, instructing on dharma in the Shanti Parva, describes his adopted discipline (ājagara-vrata). He presents himself as tranquil and purified, modeling an ascetic ethic of non-seeking and acceptance of whatever arrives by destiny/previous karma.