Shloka 7
Khaḍgotpattiḥ (Origin and Dharmic Function of the Sword) | खड्गोत्पत्तिः
इच्छा द्वेषस्तथा ताप: परवृद्धयुपतापिता । अज्ञानमेतन्निर्दिष्टं पापानां चैव या: क्रिया:
icchā dveṣas tathā tāpaḥ paravṛddhyupatāpitā | ajñānam etan nirdiṣṭaṃ pāpānāṃ caiva yāḥ kriyāḥ ||
毗湿摩说道：“大王，欲求、憎恨与内心的煎灼——以及见他人兴盛而起的灼热嫉妒——并且种种罪行：这一切都被宣说为无明的形态与作用。”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma identifies desire, hatred, distress, envy at others’ success, and sinful conduct as manifestations of ajñāna (ignorance). The ethical point is that these inner afflictions are not merely moral lapses but symptoms of a deeper cognitive-spiritual error that must be corrected for dharmic living.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction section, Bhishma continues advising King Yudhiṣṭhira on dharma and inner discipline. Here he classifies certain negative mental states and sinful actions under the heading of ‘ignorance,’ guiding the king toward self-knowledge and restraint.