12.341
भीष्म उवाच॥
Bhishma said.
आसीत्किल कुरुश्रेष्ठ महापद्मे पुरोत्तमे। गङ्गाया दक्षिणे तीरे कश्चिद्विप्रः समाहितः ॥१२-३४१-१॥
O best of the Kurus, there was indeed, in Mahāpadma, the foremost city, on the southern bank of the Gaṅgā, a certain brāhmaṇa who was concentrated. (12-341-1)
सौम्यः सोमान्वये वेदे गताध्वा छिन्नसंशयः। धर्मनित्यो जितक्रोधो नित्यतृप्तो जितेन्द्रियः ॥१२-३४१-२॥
He is gentle, born in the lineage of Soma, versed in the Veda, one who has traversed the path, whose doubts are dispelled, always devoted to dharma, who has conquered anger, is ever content, and has mastered his senses. (12-341-2)
अहिंसानिरतो नित्यं सत्यः सज्जनसंमतः। न्यायप्राप्तेन वित्तेन स्वेन शीलेन चान्वितः ॥१२-३४१-३॥
He is always engaged in non-injury, truthful, esteemed by good people, endowed with wealth acquired justly, and with his own character. (12-341-3)
ज्ञातिसम्बन्धिविपुले मित्रापाश्रयसंमते। कुले महति विख्याते विशिष्टां वृत्तिमास्थितः ॥१२-३४१-४॥
He, possessing abundant relatives and connections, esteemed by the support of friends, belonging to a great and famous family, adopted a distinguished way of life. (12-341-4)
स पुत्रान्बहुलान्दृष्ट्वा विपुले कर्मणि स्थितः। कुलधर्माश्रितो राजन्धर्मचर्यापरोऽभवत् ॥१२-३४१-५॥
O king, having seen his many sons engaged in great deeds, he, adhering to the family duty, became devoted to the practice of dharma. (12-341-5)
ततः स धर्मं वेदोक्तं यथाशास्त्रोक्तमेव च। शिष्टाचीर्णं च धर्मं च त्रिविधं चिन्त्य चेतसा ॥१२-३४१-६॥
Then, one should consider with the mind the threefold duty: that declared in the Veda, as stated in the treatises, and that practiced by the learned. (12-341-6)
किं नु मे स्याच्छुभं कृत्वा किं क्षमं किं परायणम्। इत्येवं खिद्यते नित्यं न च याति विनिश्चयम् ॥१२-३४१-७॥
One is always afflicted, thinking, "What indeed might be auspicious for me to do? What is proper? What is the supreme goal?" and never comes to a definite conclusion. (12-341-7)
तस्यैवं खिद्यमानस्य धर्मं परममास्थितः। कदाचिदतिथिः प्राप्तो ब्राह्मणः सुसमाहितः ॥१२-३४१-८॥
Thus, while he was afflicted, having resorted to the supreme duty, at some time a well-composed brāhmaṇa guest arrived. (12-341-8)
स तस्मै सत्क्रियां चक्रे क्रियायुक्तेन हेतुना। विश्रान्तं चैनमासीनमिदं वचनमब्रवीत् ॥१२-३४१-९॥
He performed an honourable act for him with a purposeful motive; and when he was rested and seated, he spoke these words to him. (12-341-9)
