Shloka 7
तदनन्तर उसने वेदोक्त धर्म, शास्त्रोक्त धर्म तथा शिष्ट पुरुषोंद्वारा आचरित धर्म--इन तीन प्रकारके धर्मोंपर मन-ही-मन विचार करना आरम्भ किया-- ।।
tadanantaraṃ sa vedokta-dharmaṃ śāstrokta-dharmaṃ tathā śiṣṭa-puruṣair ācarita-dharmaṃ—ime trayaḥ prakārā dharmāḥ—manasā vicārayitum ārabdhavān। kintu me syāc chubhaṃ kṛtvā kiṃ kṛtaṃ kiṃ parāyaṇam। ityevaṃ khidyate nityaṃ na ca yāti viniścayam॥
Pagkaraan, sinimulan niyang pagbulay-bulayan sa loob ang tatlong uri ng dharma: ang dharmang itinuturo ng Veda, ang dharmang itinatakda ng mga śāstra, at ang dharmang isinasabuhay ng mga taong may kultura at huwaran. Ngunit nanatili siyang nababagabag, laging nagtatanong sa sarili: “Anong gawa ang magdudulot sa akin ng tunay na kabutihan? Ano ang aking tungkulin? At sino o ano ang aking pinakamataas na kanlungan?” Kaya’t napapagod siya sa walang humpay na pagninilay, subalit hindi pa rin makarating sa tiyak na pasya.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a classic dharma-problem: even after consulting multiple authorities—Veda, śāstra, and the lived conduct of exemplary people—one may still struggle to determine what is truly beneficial, what one ought to do, and what constitutes the highest refuge. It points to the complexity of ethical discernment and the need for a settled inner clarity (viniścaya).
In Bhīṣma’s discourse of the Śānti Parva, a person (implicitly a seeker of right conduct) is described as turning inward to evaluate three recognized sources of dharma. Despite sustained reflection, he remains mentally fatigued and unable to reach a firm conclusion about his duty and ultimate support.