Shloka 19
Dama-pradhāna-dharma (Self-restraint as the Root of Dharma) — Śānti-parva 154
आदित्यो<यं स्थितो मूढ़ा: स्नेह कुरुत मा भयम् । बहुरूपो मुहूर्तश्ष जीवेदपि कदाचन
ādityo ’yaṃ sthito mūḍhāḥ snehaṃ kuruta mā bhayam | bahurūpo muhūrtaś ca jīved api kadācana ||
Wika ni Bhishma: “Kayong mga hangal, hindi pa lumulubog ang araw—huwag kayong matakot. Ipakita ang pag-aaruga at pagmamahal sa bata. Maraming anyo ang hatid ng panahon; maaaring sa isang mapalad na sandali, muling mabuhay ang batang ito.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Do not surrender to fear or despair prematurely; while time remains, respond with compassion and steady care. The verse frames time (muhūrta) as variable and potentially auspicious, encouraging hopeful, ethical action rather than panic.
Bhīṣma rebukes those who are frightened and grief-stricken, pointing out that the day is not yet over (the sun still stands). He urges them to show affection to the child and to hold hope that, in some favorable moment, the child may yet revive.