Shloka 9
Prajñā as Pratiṣṭhā — Indra–Kāśyapa Saṃvāda (Śānti-parva 12.173)
दुराचारस्तु दुर्बुद्धिरिड्वितैलक्षितो मया । निष्कृपो दारुणाकारो दुष्टो दस्युरिवाधम:
durācārastu durbuddhir iḍvitailakṣito mayā | niṣkṛpo dāruṇākāro duṣṭo dasyur ivādhamaḥ ||
Wika ni Bhīṣma: «Sa mismong asal niya ay nakilala ko siya: baluktot ang pag-iisip at marumi ang gawi, walang habag. Maging ang anyo niya’y mabagsik at nakapanghihilakbot—hamak at masama, gaya ng isang tulisan, ang pinakababa sa mga tao.»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A person’s inner nature is reliably inferred from conduct and compassion: persistent immoral behavior, cruelty, and harshness signal adharma and a degraded character, warranting moral caution.
Bhīṣma is describing someone he has observed and judged based on outward behavior and demeanor, concluding that the person is cruel, wicked, and socially dangerous—comparable to a lawless bandit.