Shloka 13
संधेयासंधेय-पुरुषनिर्णयः (Criteria for Allies and Non-Allies) — with the opening of the Gautama narrative
इमानीष्टविभागानि फलानि तपस: सदा । तपसा शक्यते प्राप्तुं देवत्वमपि निश्चयात्
bhīṣma uvāca | imānīṣṭa-vibhāgāni phalāni tapasaḥ sadā | tapasā śakyate prāptuṃ devatvam api niścayāt ||
Wika ni Bhīṣma: “Ang lahat ng iba’t ibang ninanais na bunga ay laging maaabot sa pamamagitan ng tapas. Tunay nga, sa pamamagitan ng tapas ay tiyak na makakamit maging ang kalagayang pagka-diyos (devatva).”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Tapas (austerity and disciplined self-restraint) is presented as a reliable means to attain a wide range of desired outcomes, including the highest spiritual elevation—devatva (divine status). The ethical emphasis is on inner discipline as the foundation of power and merit.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on dharma and right conduct, Bhishma continues advising Yudhishthira by highlighting the efficacy of tapas: whatever differentiated goals people seek, they become attainable through sustained ascetic discipline.