Shloka 4
अध्याय २२० — बलिवासवसंवादः
Bali–Vāsava Dialogue on Kāla and Steadfastness
दमस्तेजो वर्धयति पवित्र दम उच्यते । विपाप्मा निर्भयो दान्त: पुरुषो विन्दते महत्
damaḥ tejo vardhayati pavitraḥ dama ucyate | vipāpmā nirbhayo dāntaḥ puruṣo vindate mahat ||
Sinabi ni Bhishma: “Ang pagpipigil sa sarili ay nagpapalago ng tejas—liwanag at lakas sa loob; kaya ang pagpipigil ay tinatawag na lubhang nagpapadalisay. Ang taong nagwagi sa isip at mga pandama ay nagiging malaya sa kasalanan at takot, at nakakamit ang ‘mahat’—ang dakilang kalagayang espirituwal.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
That dama (self-restraint over mind and senses) is intrinsically purifying and strengthens tejas (inner radiance/energy), leading to freedom from sin and fear and culminating in attainment of a ‘great’ spiritual state.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on dharma and right conduct, Bhishma continues advising on virtues; here he highlights self-restraint as a foundational discipline that purifies and elevates a person.