Go-dāna-phala-nirdeśa
Merit and Destinations from the Gift of Cows
आर्जवे च तथा शूरा: शमे वर्तन्ति मानवा: । तैस्तैश्न नियमै: शूरा बहव: सन्ति चापरे । वेदाध्ययनशूराश्व शूराश्षाध्यापने रता:
ārjave ca tathā śūrāḥ śame vartante mānavāḥ | tais taiś ca niyamaiḥ śūrā bahavaḥ santi cāpare | vedādhyayanaśūrāś ca śūrāś cādhyāpane ratāḥ |
毗湿摩说道:“有人在正直坦率中为‘英雄’,有人以自制与内心寂静显其勇德。还有许多人因遵守种种戒律与规制而被称为英雄。亦有人在研习吠陀中为英雄,也有人在教授吠陀中为英雄。”
भीष्म उवाच
Heroism is not limited to battlefield courage; it can be expressed as moral integrity (ārjava), mental restraint (śama), disciplined observances (niyama), and dedication to sacred learning and teaching (vedādhyayana, adhyāpana).
In Bhīṣma’s instruction on dharma, he broadens the meaning of ‘śūra’ (hero) by listing non-martial forms of valor—ethical conduct, self-mastery, disciplined living, and commitment to Vedic study and instruction.