Shloka 56
Tapas, Tīrtha, and Moral Rehabilitation (Śānti-parva 148)
उपदिष्टो हि मे धर्म: कपोतेन महात्मना । “अब मैं पापसे मुह मोड़कर स्त्री, पुत्र तथा अपने प्यारे प्राणोंका भी परित्याग कर दूँगा। महात्मा कबूतरने मुझे विशुद्ध धर्मका उपदेश दिया है
upadiṣṭo hi me dharmaḥ kapotena mahātmanā |
Sinabi ni Bhishma: “Tunay ngang itinuro sa akin ang dharma ng dakilang-loob na kalapati. Tatalikod ako sa kasalanan, at tatalikuran ko maging ang asawa, anak, at ang minamahal kong hininga ng buhay.” Sa pagninilay na ito, itinatampok ng salaysay na ang tunay na katuwiran ay maaaring humingi ng pinakamataas na sakripisyo, at ang linaw ng budhi ay maaaring sumibol mula sa halimbawa kahit ng isang munting nilalang.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Dharma is to be upheld even at the cost of one’s dearest attachments—family and even one’s own life; true righteousness is measured by willingness to sacrifice for what is right.
Bhishma recalls receiving instruction on pure dharma from the example/teaching of a noble pigeon, and he expresses a resolve to turn away from sin and accept extreme renunciation if dharma requires it.