Shloka 20

Gautama’s Flight, the Enchanted Grove, and the Arrival of Rājadharma

Nāḍījaṅgha

Devanagari script

सर्वथा क्षमिणा भाव्यं तथा सत्यपरेण च । वीतहर्षभयक्रोधो धृतिमाप्रोति पण्डित:

Transliteration

sarvathā kṣamiṇā bhāvyaṃ tathā satyapareṇa ca | vītaharṣabhayakrodho dhṛtim āpnoti paṇḍitaḥ ||

Translation

భీష్ముడు పలికెను—ఎల్లప్పుడూ, ఏ పరిస్థితిలోనైనా, క్షమాశీలుడై ఉండి సత్యంలో నిబద్ధుడై ఉండవలెను. హర్షం, భయం, క్రోధం—ఈ మూడింటినీ విడిచిన జ్ఞానియే ధృతిని, నిజమైన ధైర్యాన్ని పొందును.

Word by Word

• सर्वथा: in every way; always
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सर्वथा

• क्षमिणा: by/with (one who is) forgiving
• क्षमिणा: Karana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: क्षमिन्
• Form: Masculine/Neuter, Instrumental, Singular

• भाव्यम्: should be; ought to be done/maintained
• Type: Verb
• Root: भू
• Form: तव्यत् (gerundive), Passive sense, Neuter, Nominative/Accusative, Singular

• तथा: so; likewise
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा

• सत्यपरेण: by/with one devoted to truth
• सत्यपरेण: Karana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सत्यपर
• Form: Masculine/Neuter, Instrumental, Singular

• च: and
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च

• वीतहर्षभयक्रोधः: one who has abandoned joy, fear, and anger
• वीतहर्षभयक्रोधः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वीतहर्षभयक्रोध
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• धृतिम्: steadfastness; fortitude
• धृतिम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: धृति
• Form: Feminine, Accusative, Singular

• आप्नोति: attains; obtains
• Type: Verb
• Root: आप्
• Form: Present, Indicative, 3rd, Singular, Parasmaipada

• पण्डितः: the wise man; scholar
• पण्डितः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: पण्डित
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

Speaker

भीष्म उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Bhishma

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

Cultivate universal forbearance (kṣamā) and unwavering commitment to truth (satya). True dhṛti—steady moral and mental strength—arises when one becomes free from the destabilizing impulses of elation, fear, and anger.

What is happening in the narrative?

In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on dharma after the war, Bhishma continues advising Yudhishthira on ethical conduct and inner discipline, emphasizing virtues that stabilize a ruler and any person: patience, truthfulness, and mastery over reactive emotions.