Shloka 23
नूनं ते हृदयं काम वज़सारमयं दृढम् | यदनर्थशताविष्टं शतधा न विदीर्यते,“काम! निश्चय ही तेरा हृदय फौलादका बना हुआ है: अतएव अत्यन्त सुदृढ़ है। यही कारण है कि सैकड़ों अनर्थोसे व्याप्त होनेपर भी इसके सैकड़ों टुकड़े नहीं हो जाते
nūnaṁ te hṛdayaṁ kāma vajrasāramayaṁ dṛḍham | yad anarthaśatāviṣṭaṁ śatadhā na vidīryate ||
नूनं ते हृदयं काम वज्रसारमयं दृढम् । यदनर्थशताविष्टं शतधा न विदीर्यते ॥
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Desire is portrayed as extraordinarily hard and persistent: even when it brings repeated harm, it does not break or diminish easily. The ethical implication is the need for vigilance and self-mastery, since unchecked desire endures despite suffering and continues to drive unwholesome actions.
Bhīṣma, instructing on dharma in the Śānti Parva, addresses Kāma as a personified force. He marvels (with reproach) at desire’s stubborn resilience: though surrounded by countless harmful consequences, it remains unshattered—highlighting why desire is such a formidable obstacle to peace and right conduct.