Shloka 8
Śrī–Indra–Bali Saṃvāda: The Departure and Fourfold Placement of Lakṣmī
ऋषीणामाहुरेकं तं यं कामानावृतं नृषु । शाश्वतं सुखमत्यन्तमन्विच्छन्तं सुदुर्लभम्
ṛṣīṇām āhur ekaṃ taṃ yaṃ kāmānāvṛtaṃ nṛṣu | śāśvataṃ sukham atyantam anvicchantaṃ sudurlabham ||
毗湿摩说：“在诸仙之中，人们称那一位为无与伦比——在人间不为欲望所蔽者。他追寻那极其稀有、永恒而至上的安乐，并以教诲之力，力图将其安立于人心之中。”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse praises the ideal sage who is free from the covering of desire (kāma). Such freedom enables the pursuit of the rare, eternal happiness (śāśvata sukha), and the ethical aim is to plant this orientation toward lasting good in human hearts through guidance and teaching.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction section, Bhīṣma continues advising Yudhiṣṭhira on dharma and inner discipline. Here he highlights a model rishi—unique among sages—whose desirelessness and quest for eternal well-being serve as a standard for human conduct and spiritual education.