Ahiṃsā as Threefold Restraint (Mind–Speech–Action) and the Ethics of Consumption
प्राणिनामिह सर्वेषां साक्षिभूता निशानिशम्
prāṇinām iha sarveṣāṁ sākṣibhūtā niśāniśam
যুধিষ্ঠিৰে ক’লে—এই জগতত সকলো প্ৰাণীৰ বাবে দিন-ৰাতি নিৰন্তৰ সাক্ষী হৈ থকা এক তত্ত্ব আছে।
युधिछिर उवाच
That moral life is lived under constant witnessing: one’s actions are never truly hidden, because an ever-present witness (often understood as conscience, dharma, or the indwelling Self) observes all beings at all times, urging accountability and restraint.
In Anuśāsana Parva’s instruction-focused setting, Yudhiṣṭhira speaks in a reflective, ethical register, framing a point about conduct by invoking the idea of an unceasing witness over all creatures—preparing the ground for guidance on right and wrong action.