Shloka 20
Haṃsa–Sādhya Saṃvāda: Satya, Dama, Kṣamā and the Discipline of Speech
स्वजनं हि यदा मृत्युर्हन्त्येव तव पश्यत: । कृते5पि यत्ने महति तत्र बोद्धव्यमात्मना
Bhīṣma uvāca: svajanaṃ hi yadā mṛtyur hanty eva tava paśyataḥ | kṛte 'pi yatne mahati tatra boddhavyam ātmanā ||
毗湿摩说：“当死神在你眼前击倒你的至亲，即使你竭尽全力仍不能救回他们，你就应当自知其中的含义——人的力量究竟何其有限。”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even the strongest human effort cannot always prevent death, especially when it comes to one’s own loved ones. Recognizing this limitation is meant to cultivate clear judgment, humility, and steadiness—reducing despair and the illusion of total control.
Bhishma, in his Shanti Parva instruction, addresses the reality of bereavement: one may witness the death of relatives despite strenuous attempts to protect them. He uses this to guide the listener toward reflective understanding and acceptance of mortality’s inevitability.