Shloka 26

Adhyāya 159 — Dāna–Dakṣiṇā, Āpaddharma Measures, and Prāyaścitta Classifications

Devanagari script

सर्वोपकारिणो वीरा: सर्वधधर्मानुपालका: । सर्वभूतहिताश्ैव सर्वदेयाश्न भारत

Transliteration

sarvopakāriṇo vīrāḥ sarvadharmānupālakāḥ | sarvabhūtahitāś caiva sarvade(y)āś ca bhārata bharatanandana ||

Translation

Бхишма сказал: «О Бхарата, радость рода Бхаратов! Истинные герои — те, кто творит благо для всех, хранит все виды дхармы и желает добра каждому живому существу. Ради других они готовы отдать даже всё своё богатство и имущество, вплоть до самой жизни».

Word by Word

• सर्वोपकारिणः: benefactors of all
• सर्वोपकारिणः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्वोपकारिन्
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• वीराः: heroes, brave men
• वीराः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: वीर
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• सर्वधर्मानुपालकाः: upholders of all dharmas
• सर्वधर्मानुपालकाः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्वधर्मानुपालक
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• सर्वभूतहिताः: well-wishers of all beings
• सर्वभूतहिताः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्वभूतहित
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• एव: indeed, only
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव

• सर्वदेयाः: ready to give everything
• सर्वदेयाः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्वदेय
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• नृ: O man (king)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नृ
• Form: Masculine, Vocative, Singular

• भारत: O Bharata
• Type: Noun
• Root: भारत
• Form: Masculine, Vocative, Singular

• भरतनन्दन: O descendant/delighter of Bharata
• Type: Noun
• Root: भरतनन्दन
• Form: Masculine, Vocative, Singular

Speaker

भीष्म उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Bhīṣma
• Yudhiṣṭhira (addressed as Bhārata/Bharatanandana)
• Bharata lineage

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

A ‘hero’ is defined ethically, not merely militarily: one who benefits all, protects dharma in its many forms, seeks the welfare of all beings, and is willing to sacrifice everything for others.

What is happening in the narrative?

In the Śānti Parva, Bhīṣma instructs Yudhiṣṭhira on righteous conduct and governance after the war. Here he characterizes the ideal noble person/hero by universal benevolence, dharma-protection, and complete generosity.