Shloka 12
Go-dāna-phala-nirdeśa
Merit and Destinations from the Gift of Cows
यत्रेच्छागामिनो दान्ता: सर्वशत्रुनिषूदना: । प्रार्थयन्ति च यद् दान्ता लभन्ते तन्न संशय:
yatreच्छāgāmino dāntāḥ sarvaśatruniṣūdanāḥ | prārthayanti ca yad dāntā labhante tan na saṃśayaḥ ||
भीष्म उवाच—यत्रेच्छागामिनो दान्ताः सर्वशत्रुनिषूदनाः। प्रार्थयन्ति च यद् दान्ता लभन्ते तन्न संशयः॥
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma emphasizes that disciplined self-control (dama) yields extraordinary efficacy: the restrained person gains freedom of movement and success in aims, and can overcome opposition. Ethically, the verse links inner mastery with outer capability—victory begins with conquering oneself.
In Bhishma’s instruction on dharma, he describes the capacities of truly self-controlled individuals: they can go as they wish and obtain what they seek, and thus are portrayed as capable of subduing or destroying enemies. The statement functions as praise of restraint and its practical consequences.