Shloka 37
Śreyas-nirdeśa (Discerning the Superior Good): Nārada–Gālava Saṃvāda
संसारमें ब्रह्मविद्याके समान कोई नेत्र नहीं है, ब्रह्मविद्याके समान कोई फल नहीं है, रागके समान कोई दुःख नहीं है और त्यागके समान कोई सुख नहीं है ।।
na etādṛśaṁ brāhmaṇasyāsti vittaṁ yathaikatā samatā satyatā ca | śīle sthitir daṇḍa-nidhānam ārjavaṁ tataḥ tataś coparamaḥ kriyābhyaḥ ||
Wika ni Bhīṣma: “Sa sansara, walang mata na kapantay ng Brahmavidyā, at walang bunga na kapantay ng Brahmavidyā; walang dusa na kapantay ng rāga, at walang ligaya na kapantay ng tyāga. Para sa isang brāhmaṇa, walang yaman na maihahambing sa mga ito: pakikiisa sa Brahman, pagkakapantay ng isip, pagtalima sa katotohanan, katatagan sa mabuting asal, paglalagay sa tabi ng pamalo (ahimsa), pagiging tuwid, at—paulit-ulit—pag-urong mula sa mga gawaing inuudyukan ng pagnanasa. Ito lamang ang pinakamataas na kayamanan at natatanging tungkulin ng brāhmaṇa.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma defines the brahmin’s true ‘wealth’ not as possessions but as inner virtues: realization-oriented unity (ekatā), equanimity (samatā), truthfulness (satyatā), stable good character (śīla-sthiti), non-violence (daṇḍa-nidhānam), sincerity (ārjavam), and repeated withdrawal from desire-driven actions (uparamaḥ kriyābhyaḥ).
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction section, Bhishma continues advising Yudhishthira on dharma after the war, here emphasizing the distinctive ethical and spiritual discipline expected of a brahmin.