Shloka 23
Śuka’s Nirveda: Vyāsa’s Admonition on Dharma, Impermanence, and ‘Imperishable Wealth’ (अक्षय-धन)
राजर्षिरधृति: स्वर्गात् पतितो हि महाभिष: । ययाति: क्षीणपुण्यो5पि धृत्या लोकानवाप्तवान्
rājarṣir adhṛtiḥ svargāt patito hi mahābhiṣaḥ | yayātiḥ kṣīṇapuṇyo 'pi dhṛtyā lokān avāptavān |
Wika ni Bhīṣma: Ang maharlikang rishi na si Mahābhiṣa ay nahulog mula sa langit sapagkat kulang siya sa dhṛti—katatagan. Ngunit si Haring Yayāti, kahit naubos na ang kanyang kabutihang-naipon, ay nakamit pa rin ang mas matataas na daigdig sa lakas ng matibay na pasya. Ang aral: ang panloob na tibay at pagpipigil-sa-sarili ang mas maaasahang sandigan ng kalagayang espirituwal kaysa sa naipong merito lamang.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Dhṛti—steadfast resolve, inner firmness, and self-restraint—is crucial for maintaining spiritual elevation. Without dhṛti one may fall even from heaven, while with dhṛti one may rise again even when accumulated merit is exhausted.
Bhīṣma contrasts two exemplars: Mahābhiṣa, who fell from Svarga due to lack of steadiness, and Yayāti, who despite depleted merit attained higher realms through steadfastness. The comparison reinforces the ethical value of sustained self-mastery.