Shloka 4
संधेयासंधेय-पुरुषनिर्णयः (Criteria for Allies and Non-Allies) — with the opening of the Gautama narrative
ओऔषधान्यगदादीनि क्रियाश्व विविधास्तथा । तपसैव हि सिद्धान्ति तपोमूलं हि साधनम्
oṣadhāny agadādīni kriyāś ca vividhās tathā | tapasaiva hi siddhānti tapomūlaṃ hi sādhanam ||
Wika ni Bhishma: “Ang mga gamot, mga panlunas sa lason, at ang sari-saring pagsasanay na praktikal ay nagkakaganap lamang sa pamamagitan ng tapas; sapagkat ang tapas ang ugat na pinanggagalingan ng bisa ng bawat paraan ng pag-abot.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
All effective means—whether medical remedies or diverse practices—derive their success from tapas (disciplined austerity). Inner restraint and sustained effort are presented as the foundational power behind any accomplishment.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on dharma and right conduct, Bhishma continues advising Yudhishthira, emphasizing that practical techniques and external aids become truly efficacious when supported by inner discipline (tapas).