Shloka 20
Haṃsa–Sādhya Saṃvāda: Satya, Dama, Kṣamā and the Discipline of Speech
स्वजनं हि यदा मृत्युर्हन्त्येव तव पश्यत: । कृते5पि यत्ने महति तत्र बोद्धव्यमात्मना
Bhīṣma uvāca: svajanaṃ hi yadā mṛtyur hanty eva tava paśyataḥ | kṛte 'pi yatne mahati tatra boddhavyam ātmanā ||
Wika ni Bhishma: “Kapag sinasalanta ng Kamatayan ang sarili mong mga kamag-anak habang ikaw ay nakatingin, at kahit nagpakasikap ka nang lubos ay hindi mo pa rin sila mailigtas, dapat mong maunawaan sa sarili mo ang ipinahihiwatig nito—kung gaano kaliit at hangganan ang kapangyarihan ng tao.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even the strongest human effort cannot always prevent death, especially when it comes to one’s own loved ones. Recognizing this limitation is meant to cultivate clear judgment, humility, and steadiness—reducing despair and the illusion of total control.
Bhishma, in his Shanti Parva instruction, addresses the reality of bereavement: one may witness the death of relatives despite strenuous attempts to protect them. He uses this to guide the listener toward reflective understanding and acceptance of mortality’s inevitability.