Shloka 7
तदनन्तर उसने वेदोक्त धर्म, शास्त्रोक्त धर्म तथा शिष्ट पुरुषोंद्वारा आचरित धर्म--इन तीन प्रकारके धर्मोंपर मन-ही-मन विचार करना आरम्भ किया-- ।।
tadanantaraṃ sa vedokta-dharmaṃ śāstrokta-dharmaṃ tathā śiṣṭa-puruṣair ācarita-dharmaṃ—ime trayaḥ prakārā dharmāḥ—manasā vicārayitum ārabdhavān। kintu me syāc chubhaṃ kṛtvā kiṃ kṛtaṃ kiṃ parāyaṇam। ityevaṃ khidyate nityaṃ na ca yāti viniścayam॥
其后，他在心中开始思量三种达摩：吠陀所说之法、论典所立之法、以及有教养的贤者所行之法。然而他仍旧烦忧，常自问道：“我当行何事方得真正之善？我的本分为何？而我最高的归依又在何处？”他因不断思索而疲惫，却始终不能作出确定的抉择。
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a classic dharma-problem: even after consulting multiple authorities—Veda, śāstra, and the lived conduct of exemplary people—one may still struggle to determine what is truly beneficial, what one ought to do, and what constitutes the highest refuge. It points to the complexity of ethical discernment and the need for a settled inner clarity (viniścaya).
In Bhīṣma’s discourse of the Śānti Parva, a person (implicitly a seeker of right conduct) is described as turning inward to evaluate three recognized sources of dharma. Despite sustained reflection, he remains mentally fatigued and unable to reach a firm conclusion about his duty and ultimate support.