Shloka 9
Adhyāya 287 — Janaka’s Inquiry on Śreyas, Abhayadāna, and Asaṅga
Non-attachment
तांस्तु विप्रस्थितान् दृष्टवा शास्त्रै: शास्त्राभिनन्दिन: । स्वशास्त्रै: परितुष्टाश्न श्रेयो नोपलभामहे
tāṁstu viprasthitān dṛṣṭvā śāstraiḥ śāstrābhinandinaḥ | svaśāstraiḥ parituṣṭāś ca śreyo nopalabhāmahe ||
Bhīṣma disse: “Mas quando vemos essas pessoas—cada uma firmemente estabelecida em sua própria doutrina—vivendo segundo as disciplinas ensinadas por suas respectivas escrituras e louvando essas mesmas escrituras, e quando as encontramos tão satisfeitas com suas convicções quanto nós com as nossas, surge a dúvida em nossa mente. Não conseguimos determinar com clareza qual é o meio mais elevado para alcançar o bem supremo.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
When many traditions follow their own scriptures sincerely and appear equally content, mere adherence to a particular śāstra does not by itself settle the question of śreyas (the supreme good). The verse frames a disciplined doubt that calls for deeper discernment about what truly leads to ultimate welfare.
Bhīṣma is explaining a situation of intellectual and ethical uncertainty: observing diverse groups devoted to their respective scriptural paths and praising them, he (or the inquirers he represents) becomes unsure which path is best for attaining the highest good, prompting further inquiry into dharma and liberation.