Shloka 8
Nīti-upadeśa to a Rājaputra: Self-restraint, Alliances, and Rival-Management (नीतिउपदेशः)
ततः सहायान् सोत्साहॉल्लप्स्यसे5व्यसनान् शुचीन् | वर्तमान: स्वशास्त्रेण संयतात्मा जितेन्द्रिय:
tataḥ sahāyān sotsāhāl lapsyase vyasanān śucīn | vartamānaḥ svaśāstreṇa saṃyatātmā jitendriyaḥ |
ततः सहायान् सोत्साहान् लप्स्यसे व्यसनान् शुचीन्। वर्तमानः स्वशास्त्रेण संयतात्मा जितेन्द्रियः॥
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhīṣma teaches that disciplined conduct—living by one’s rightful code (svaśāstra), with self-restraint and mastery of the senses—naturally attracts trustworthy allies and provides strength to face misfortune.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction-setting, Bhīṣma continues advising the listener on ethical living: he links inner discipline (saṃyatātmā, jitendriyaḥ) with practical outcomes—gaining pure-hearted supporters when adversity (vyasana) arises.