Shloka 18
Daṇḍa-svarūpa-nirūpaṇa
The Nature, Forms, and Function of Daṇḍa
आत्मसंयमनं बुद्धया परबुद्धयावधारणम् । बुद्धया चात्मगुणप्राप्तिरेतच्छास्त्रनिदर्शनम्
ātmasaṁyamanaṁ buddhyā parabuddhyāvadhāraṇam | buddhyā cātmaguṇaprāptir etacchāstranidarśanam ||
毗湿摩说道：“自我克制由自身的明辨而成；当行之事的决断，须借助他人的谋略与智慧；而依经典（śāstra）所导的理解，则能获得自性的德行。这正是圣典教诲所要昭示的。”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse distinguishes three supports for right living: (1) personal intellect for self-restraint, (2) others’ counsel for deciding duties in complex situations, and (3) scripturally informed understanding for attaining enduring inner virtues—presenting these as the practical aim of śāstra.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on dharma and right conduct, Bhishma continues advising Yudhiṣṭhira by summarizing how disciplined intellect, wise counsel, and scriptural guidance function together to shape ethical decision-making and inner character.