Shloka 126
Adhyāya 272: Vṛtrasya Dharmiṣṭhatā, Indrasya Mohaḥ, Vasiṣṭha-upadeśaḥ
Vṛtra’s dharmic stature; Indra’s disorientation; Vasiṣṭha’s counsel
कुशलेनैव धर्मेण गतिमिष्टां प्रपद्यते । इस प्रकार मनुष्य पापात्मा हो जाता है। अब धर्मात्माके विषयमें मुझसे सुनो। वह जिस प्रकार परहित-साधक कल्याणकारी धर्मका आचरण करता है
kuśalenaiva dharmeṇa gatim iṣṭāṃ prapadyate |
Wika ni Bhishma: “Sa pamamagitan lamang ng pagsasagawa ng dharma sa paraang mabuti at may kasanayan, natatamo ng tao ang ninanais na hantungan. Ang nagiging makasalanan dahil sa mapanirang asal ay dapat ihambing sa matuwid: kung paanong ang isa’y sumusunod sa dharmang nagdudulot ng kapakinabangan at kabutihan para sa ikabubuti ng iba, gayon din siya nagiging kabahagi ng kagalingan. Sa kapangyarihan ng gayong dharmang nag-iingat, nararating ang minimithing kalagayan.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Wholesome, welfare-promoting dharma is itself the effective means to attain one’s desired end; ethical conduct is presented as causally powerful, bringing well-being and the wished-for destiny.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on righteous living, Bhishma continues advising Yudhishthira by contrasting sinful tendencies with the dharmatman: the one who practices beneficial dharma for others’ good gains welfare and reaches the intended goal through dharma’s protective power.