Shloka 95
तीर्थवंशोपदेशः
Tīrtha-vaṃśa Upadeśa: Instruction on the Fruits of Sacred Waters
अपराधिषु सस्नेहा मृदवो मृदुवत्सला: । आराधनसुखाश्षापि पुरुषा: स्वर्गगामिन:
aparādhiṣu sasnehā mṛdavo mṛduvatsalāḥ | ārādhanasukhaś cāpi puruṣāḥ svargagāminaḥ ||
अपराधिषु सस्नेहा मृदवो मृदुवत्सलाः । आराधनसुखाश्चैव ते नरा स्वर्गगामिनः ॥
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Compassion even toward wrongdoers, a gentle temperament, affection for the gentle, and joy in serving others are presented as dharmic qualities that generate spiritual merit and lead to a higher posthumous state (svarga).
In the Anuśāsana Parva’s instruction section, Bhīṣma continues advising on righteous conduct, listing virtues and their fruits; here he states that tenderness, mercy, and delight in respectful service are marks of the virtuous who attain heaven.