Shloka 12
Durgātitaraṇa—Conduct for Crossing Difficulties (दुर्गातितरणम्)
जो लोग प्राण जानेका अवसर उपस्थित होनेपर भी सत्य बोलना नहीं छोड़ते, वे सम्पूर्ण प्राणियोंके विश्वासपात्र बने रहकर सभी दु:खोंसे पार हो जाते हैं ।।
karmāṇy akuhakārthāni yeṣāṃ vācaś ca sūnṛtāḥ | yeṣām arthāś ca sambaddhā durgāṇy atitaranti te ||
Wika ni Bhīṣma: Ang mga hindi tumitigil sa katotohanan kahit sa oras na nakataya ang buhay; yaong ang gawa’y walang panlilinlang, ang pananalita’y banayad at tapat, at ang mga salita’y kaayon ng tunay na layon—sila’y pinagkakatiwalaan ng lahat ng nilalang, at dahil dito’y nalalampasan maging ang pinakamabibigat na daan ng pagdurusa at panganib.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches integrity: actions should be free from deceit, speech should be truthful and gentle, and one’s stated meaning should match one’s real intention. Such alignment makes one trustworthy and helps one overcome severe hardships.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on dharma, Bhishma is advising Yudhishthira on ethical conduct. Here he highlights truthful, non-deceptive action and speech as practical virtues that earn universal trust and enable a person to pass through crises.