Shloka 109
Dama-pradhāna-dharma (Self-restraint as the Root of Dharma) — Śānti-parva 154
शोकदैन्यसमाविष्टा रुदन्तस्तस्थिरे तदा । स्वकार्यकुशलाभ्यां ते सम्भ्राम्यन्ते ह नैपुणात्
śoka-dainya-samāviṣṭā rudantas tasthire tadā | sva-kārya-kuśalābhyāṃ te sambhrāmyante ha naipuṇāt ||
Wika ni Bhishma: “Nilamon ng dalamhati at kaaba-abang kalagayan, tumigil sila roon habang umiiyak. Bagama’t bihasa ang buwitre at ang asong-gubat sa pagtupad ng sariling pakay, dahil sa kanilang tuso at pandaraya ay nalito at naguluhan ang mga taong iyon.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Grief and dejection can paralyze even capable people; emotional overwhelm makes one vulnerable to being misled by others’ cleverness. Ethical steadiness and clarity of mind are implied prerequisites for right action (dharma).
A group, overcome by sorrow, stands weeping and immobilized. Despite their practical competence, they are driven into confusion by another party’s superior craftiness, indicating how psychological distress can be exploited.