Shloka 20
Brāhmaṇa-kṛtya, Āśrama-niyama, and Dāna-prasaṃsā
Duties of the Brāhmaṇa, āśrama discipline, and praise of giving
न मन्त्रबलवीर्येण प्रज्ञया पौरुषेण च | न शीलेन न वृत्तेन तथा नैवार्थसम्पदा । अलभ्यं लभते मर्त्यस्तत्र का परिदेवना
na mantrabalavīryeṇa prajñayā pauruṣeṇa ca | na śīlena na vṛttena tathā naivārthasampadā | alabhyaṃ labhate martyas tatra kā paridevanā ||
Wika ni Bhīṣma: “Ang tunay na hindi maaabot ay hindi makakamit ng taong may kamatayan—hindi sa lakas ng mga mantra, hindi sa lakas at tapang sa digmaan, hindi sa talino at sariling pagsisikap; ni sa mabuting asal, wastong pamumuhay, o kayamanan. Kung ang isang bagay ay hindi talaga makukuha, bakit pa magdadalamhati dahil dito?”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhīṣma teaches acceptance and non-lamentation: if something is inherently unattainable, no combination of spiritual means (mantras), physical power, intelligence, moral excellence, disciplined conduct, or wealth can secure it; therefore grief over it is irrational and should be relinquished.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction-setting, Bhīṣma continues advising on dharma and inner steadiness, offering a consolatory principle aimed at reducing sorrow: recognize the limits of human agency and cease lamenting what cannot be obtained.