Shloka 3
महाभूत–इन्द्रिय–मनस्–बुद्धि–अन्तरात्मा विवेकः | Discrimination of Elements, Senses, Mind, Intellect, and Inner Self
श्रूयतां पुत्र भद्रं ते सर्वलोकाश्रमात्मनाम् | प्रेक्षापूर्व प्रवृत्तानां पुण्यदेशनिवासिनाम्
śrūyatāṃ putra bhadraṃ te sarvalokāśramātmanām | prekṣāpūrva-pravṛttānāṃ puṇyadeśa-nivāsinām ||
Bhīṣma disse: “Ouve, meu filho; que o bem-estar seja teu. Descreverei o dharma dos sábios que habitam a floresta, cujo próprio ser se identifica com todos os mundos e com todos os estágios da vida—homens que só agem após cuidadosa reflexão, devotados a votos e disciplinas, e que vivem em regiões sagradas.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhīṣma introduces the ethical ideal of disciplined, reflective living: the dharma of forest-dwelling sages who undertake vows and restraints thoughtfully and reside in sacred places, embodying a universal outlook that integrates all stages of life.
In the Śānti Parva dialogue, Bhīṣma continues instructing the king (addressed as ‘son’) and announces that he will now explain the conduct and duties of forest-oriented ascetics/sages, setting the stage for a detailed exposition of vānaprastha/muni-dharma.