12.341
bhīṣma uvāca॥
Bhishma said.
āsīt kila kuruśreṣṭha mahāpadme purottame। gaṅgāyā dakṣiṇe tīre kaścid vipraḥ samāhitaḥ ॥12-341-1॥
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)
saumyaḥ somānvaye vede gatādhvā chinnasaṃśayaḥ। dharmanityo jitakrodho nityatṛpto jitendriyaḥ ॥12-341-2॥
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)
ahiṁsā-nirato nityaṁ satyaḥ sajjana-saṁmataḥ। nyāya-prāptena vittena svena śīlena ca-anvitaḥ ॥12-341-3॥
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)
jñātisambandhivipule mitrāpāśrayasaṃmate। kule mahati vikhyāte viśiṣṭāṃ vṛttimāsthitaḥ ॥12-341-4॥
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)
sa putrān bahulān dṛṣṭvā vipule karmaṇi sthitaḥ। kuladharmāśrito rājann dharmacaryāparo'bhavat ॥12-341-5॥
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)
tataḥ sa dharmaṃ vedoktaṃ yathāśāstroktameva ca। śiṣṭācīrṇaṃ ca dharmaṃ ca trividhaṃ cintya cetasā ॥12-341-6॥
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)
kiṁ nu me syācchubhaṁ kṛtvā kiṁ kṣamaṁ kiṁ parāyaṇam। ityevaṁ khidyate nityaṁ na ca yāti viniścayam ॥12-341-7॥
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)
tasyaivaṃ khidyamānasya dharmaṃ paramamāsthitaḥ। kadācidatithiḥ prāpto brāhmaṇaḥ susamāhitaḥ ॥12-341-8॥
Thus, while he was afflicted, having resorted to the supreme duty, at some time a well-composed brāhmaṇa guest arrived. (12-341-8)
sa tasmai satkriyāṁ cakre kriyāyuktena hetunā। viśrāntaṁ ca enam āsīnam idaṁ vacanam abravīt ॥12-341-9॥
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)
