Shloka 26
Adhyāya 180: Jīva, Śarīra, and the Fire Analogy (भृगु–भरद्वाज संवादः)
अचलितमतिरच्युत: स्वधर्मात् परिमितसंसरण: परावरज्ञ: । विगतभयकषायलो भमोहो व्रतमिदमाजगरं शुचिश्चरामि
acalita-matir acyutaḥ sva-dharmāt parimita-saṁsaraṇaḥ parāvara-jñaḥ | vigata-bhaya-kaṣāya-lobha-mohaḥ vratam idam ājagaraṁ śuciś carāmi ||
Wika ni Bhishma: “Matatag ang aking pag-unawa at hindi ako nalihis sa sarili kong dharma. Ang aking paggalaw at pakikitungo sa daigdig ay naging may sukat at may pagpipigil. Nakikilala ko ang mas mataas at mas mababa. Ang takot, ang dungis ng pagnanasa at poot, ang kasakiman at kamangmangan ay lumisan na sa aking puso; nananatili sa kadalisayan, isinasagawa ko ang panatang ‘tulad ng sawa’—nabubuhay na may kaunting pagpupunyagi, tinitiis ang dumarating, at pinananatiling payapa ang loob.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches steadfastness in one’s own dharma combined with inner purification: restraining worldly activity, cultivating discernment of higher and lower aims, and removing fear, passion, greed, and delusion. The ‘ājagara-vrata’ symbolizes patient, minimal-striving endurance—remaining composed and pure while accepting what comes without restless pursuit.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on dharma and conduct, Bhishma speaks in the first person, describing the qualities of an ideal disciplined life. He presents himself (or the model renunciant) as practicing the ‘python-like vow,’ emphasizing restraint, clarity of values, and freedom from inner afflictions.