Adhyāya 284: Tapas as a Corrective to Household Attachment
Parāśara’s Instruction
तरड्राड़कितकेशाय मुज्जकेशाय वै नमः । नम: षट्कर्मतुष्टाय त्रिकर्मनिरताय च
taraḍrāḍakitakeśāya mujjakeśāya vai namaḥ | namaḥ ṣaṭkarmatūṣṭāya trikarmaniratāya ca
तरड्राड़कितकेशाय मुज्जकेशाय वै नमः। नमः षट्कर्मतुष्टाय त्रिकर्मनिरताय च॥
भीष्म उवाच
True dharma is portrayed as disciplined adherence to prescribed duties—contentment with one’s obligations (ṣaṭ-karma) and steady engagement in essential acts (tri-karma)—supported by inner restraint, symbolized by ascetic appearance.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on dharma, Bhīṣma offers a reverential salutation (a stuti-like line) to an ascetic ideal or revered figure, highlighting austerity and dutiful conduct as exemplary virtues.