Shloka 4
Pātra-Lakṣaṇa and Niścita-Dharma
Marks of a Worthy Recipient and Stable Criteria of Dharma
जिज्ञासेयं प्रयुक्ता मे स्थिरीकर्तु तवानघ । अव्युत्थानेन ते लोका जिता: सत्यपराक्रम
jijñāseyaṁ prayuktā me sthirīkartu tavānagha | avyutthānena te lokā jitāḥ satyaparākrama ||
Sabi niya: “O walang sala, ginawa ko ito upang subukin ka at patatagin ang iyong loob. O dalawang-beses-na-isinilang na matapang sa katotohanan, sapagkat hindi ka umurong sa iyong paninindigan at hindi lumihis sa iyong dharma, napagtagumpayan mo ang mga daigdig ng kabutihan.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
True dharma is shown by steadiness under trial: when tested, one should not abandon one’s righteous resolve. Such unwavering conduct is portrayed as spiritually victorious—‘conquering’ meritorious realms.
Bhishma reveals that his earlier action was deliberate—meant to examine and strengthen the person addressed (a blameless, truth-valiant Brahmin). He praises him for not wavering and declares that this steadfastness has earned him the highest पुण्यलोक (realms of merit).