Śaraṇāgatapālana—Prastāvanā
Protection of the Refuge-Seeker: Opening of the Kapota Narrative
न संशयमनारुहा[ नरो भद्राणि पश्यति । संशयं पुनरारुह्य यदि जीवति पश्यति
na saṁśayam anāruhya naro bhadrāṇi paśyati | saṁśayaṁ punar āruhya yadi jīvati paśyati ||
न संशयमनारुह्य नरो भद्राणि पश्यति। संशयं पुनरारुह्य यदि जीवति पश्यति॥
भीष्म उवाच
Welfare and true good are often recognized only after one has faced real danger and uncertainty; surviving a crisis clarifies values and reveals what is genuinely beneficial.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction, Bhishma offers a reflective maxim: hardship—especially a life-threatening predicament—functions as a proving ground that enables a person to perceive and appreciate what is truly good.