Shloka 24
Prahlāda–Indra Saṃvāda: Kartṛtva (Agency) and Svabhāva (Nature) in the Causation of Karma
प्रवृत्त नोपरुन्धेत शनैरग्निमिवेन्धयेत् । ज्ञानान्वितं तथा ज्ञानमर्कवत् सम्प्रकाशते
pravṛtta noparundheta śanair agnim ivendhayet | jñānānvitaṃ tathā jñānam arkavat samprakāśate ||
毗湿摩说道：凡已发动之事，不应强行阻遏；当如添薪养火，循序渐进地滋养之。同样，知识若有理解与正当辨别为依持，便会如日轮般清明照耀。
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Do not suppress a wholesome process once it has begun; instead, cultivate it steadily. Knowledge matures through gradual nourishment and, when joined with discernment, becomes radiant and unmistakable—like sunlight.
In Shanti Parva, Bhishma is instructing on dharma and right conduct. Here he uses two images—tending a fire and the sun’s brilliance—to advise patient, incremental strengthening of inner understanding rather than abrupt restraint or force.