Shloka 3
Khaḍgotpattiḥ (Origin and Dharmic Function of the Sword) | खड्गोत्पत्तिः
अज्ञानान्निरयं याति तथाज्ञानेन दुर्गतिम् अज्ञानात् क््लेशमाप्रोति तथापत्सु निमज्जति
ajñānān nirayaṃ yāti tathājñānena durgatim | ajñānāt kleśam āpnoti tathāpatsu nimajjati ||
毗湿摩说：“因无明而堕地狱；亦因同一无明而得恶终。由无明而受苦，又因无明而沉没于灾厄之中，仿佛溺于苦海。”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Ignorance (ajñāna)—lack of right discernment about dharma and reality—is presented as the root cause of moral downfall: it leads to hellish suffering, a ruined end, and repeated distress. The verse urges cultivation of knowledge and clarity as protection against ruin.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction section, Bhīṣma continues advising Yudhiṣṭhira on ethical and spiritual foundations after the war. Here he emphasizes that ignorance is the underlying cause behind a person’s suffering and misfortune, framing it as a key obstacle to welfare and liberation.