चिरकारि-उपाख्यानम् / The Exemplum of Cirakārī: Deliberation Before Irreversible Action
लोकसंग्रहसंयुक्तं विधात्रा विहितं पुरा । सूक्ष्मधर्मार्थनियतं सतां चरितमुत्तमम्
lokasaṅgrahasaṁyuktaṁ vidhātrā vihitaṁ purā | sūkṣmadharmārthaniyataṁ satāṁ caritam uttamam ||
Wika ni Bhishma: “Noong unang panahon, itinatag ng Tagapag-ayos ng Kapalaran (Vidhātā) ang isang marangal na pamantayan ng asal para sa mga banal at matuwid—asal na nakatuon sa kapakanan at pagkakabuklod ng daigdig, at tumpak na nakaayon sa maseselang simulain ng dharma at artha.”
भीष्म उवाच
True exemplary conduct is not private virtue alone; it is conduct ordained to sustain the world (lokasaṅgraha) and must be guided by a subtle, well-regulated understanding of both dharma (moral order) and artha (practical welfare).
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on governance and right living, Bhishma explains to the listener that the ancient standard of the virtuous was established for universal welfare and embodies refined discernment of dharma and artha.