Shloka 20
Karma-Phala Rahasya and the Ethics of Dāna (कर्मफल-रहस्यं दानधर्मश्च)
अधीत्य सर्ववेदान् वै सद्यो दुःखादू विमुच्यते । मानसं हि चरन् धर्म स्वर्गलोकमुपाश्ुते
adhītya sarvavedān vai sadyo duḥkhād vimucyate | mānasaṃ hi caran dharmaṃ svargalokam upāśnute ||
毗湿摩说道：“凡通达并精研一切吠陀者，立刻从忧苦中解脱；凡以内心修持法（达摩）、以心之律仪自持者，得至天界。”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse links two inner outcomes to two disciplines: comprehensive Vedic learning brings immediate release from sorrow, and sincere mental practice of dharma leads to attainment of Svarga. It emphasizes both knowledge (śruti-study) and inner ethical conduct (mānasa-dharma).
In the Anushasana Parva’s instruction section, Bhishma continues advising Yudhishthira on dharma. Here he highlights the fruits of Vedic study and the importance of practicing righteousness at the level of the mind, not merely through outward acts.