Haṃsa–Sādhya Saṃvāda: Satya, Dama, Kṣamā and the Discipline of Speech
“जो मनुष्य शास्त्रोंक अध्ययन तथा लौकिक अनुभवसे भी ज्ञानसम्पन्न होकर समस्त मानव-जगत्को सारहीन-सा देखता है, वह सब प्रकारसे मुक्त ही है' ।। एतत् श्रुत्वा मम वचो भवांश्वरतु मुक्तवत् गार्हस्थ्ये यदि वा मोक्षे कृता बुद्धिरविक्लवा
bhīṣma uvāca | yo manuṣyaḥ śāstrādhyayana-tathā laukika-anubhavād api jñāna-sampannaḥ san samasta-mānava-jagat sārahīnam iva paśyati, sa sarvathā mukta eva | etat śrutvā mama vaco bhavān varatu muktavat | gārhasthye yadi vā mokṣe kṛtā buddhir aviklavā ||
Wika ni Bhīṣma: “Ang taong pinayaman ang pag-unawa sa pag-aaral ng śāstra at sa karanasang makamundo, at dahil dito’y nakikita ang buong daigdig ng tao na wari’y walang pangmatagalang diwa—ang gayong tao, sa lahat ng paraan, ay malaya na. Pagkarinig mo sa mga salitang ito, mamuhay ka na parang pinalaya: manatili ka man sa buhay-grihastha (gārhasthya) o tumungo sa mokṣa, panatilihin mong matatag at di-natitinag ang iyong pasya.”
भीष्म उवाच
True freedom arises when knowledge—grounded in both scripture and lived experience—reveals the impermanent, non-essential nature of worldly human pursuits. With that insight, one can live as liberated, whether in household duties or in a direct pursuit of moksha, provided one’s resolve remains steady.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on dharma and liberation, Bhishma addresses his listener with counsel: after hearing his teaching, the listener should live with the composure of a liberated person, choosing either the householder path or the path of liberation, but maintaining unwavering discernment.