Gṛhastha-vṛtti and Niyama: Models of Householder Livelihood and Discipline (गृहस्थवृत्ति-नियमाः)
धृतिमानप्रमत्तश्न दान्तो धर्मविदात्मवान् | वीतहर्षमदक्रोधो ब्राह्णो नावसीदति
dhṛtimān apramattaś ca dānto dharmavid ātmavān | vītaharṣa-mada-krodho brāhmaṇo nāvasīdati ||
Vyāsa nói: Một vị Bà-la-môn kiên định và tỉnh thức, tự chế, am tường dharma, làm chủ nội tâm—không bị cuốn theo hân hoan, men say kiêu mạn hay sân hận—thì không chìm vào u sầu.
व्यास उवाच
The verse teaches that true stability comes from disciplined vigilance and self-mastery: when one knows dharma, restrains the senses, and abandons emotional extremes (elation), egoic pride, and anger, one does not collapse into despair. Ethical clarity and inner control protect the mind from being overwhelmed by circumstances.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on peace and right conduct after the war, Vyāsa articulates a model of the ideal Brahmin/wise person. He lists inner virtues—fortitude, attentiveness, restraint, dharma-knowledge, and freedom from reactive emotions—to show why such a person remains unshaken and does not fall into sorrow.